AARP Scam Alert: How to protect your identity

The battle to protect your identity is getting a little easier – or at least cheaper. A new federal law going into effect Sept. 21 makes it free to freeze your credit file with the three major credit rating companies.

In the past, Equifax, Experian and Transunion have charged fees to freeze your credit reports to help protect against fraud. In North Dakota, the freezes cost $5, and you needed to pay it to each credit rating agency separately. You also had to pay to unfreeze and refreeze your credit reports.

A credit freeze locks your credit file, which makes it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. You can unfreeze your account at any time to apply for new credit, and then freeze it again.

It’s important to note that a credit freeze does not stop thieves from getting into your current financial accounts and wreaking havoc, so you should keep close tabs on banking, credit cards and other financial accounts and monitor them regularly.

If you are married, you and your spouse both have to freeze your credit. If you have children, consider freezing their credit, too, until they are old enough to use credit.

To freeze your credit, you will need to file a separate request with each of the three consumer reporting agencies:

• EXPERIAN: http://www.experian.com/freeze or call toll-free (888) 397-3742.

• TRANSUNION: http://www.transunion.com/securityfreeze or call toll-free (888) 909-8872.

• EQUIFAX: https://www.freeze.equifax.com or call the automated line (800) 685-1111.

For information about scams and fraud, sign up for the Fraud Watch Network at http://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. You’ll receive free email alerts with tips and resources to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud.