How to protect yourself from identity theft for free, no costly subscription required

HARRISBURG  –  You can protect yourself from identity theft by freezing your credit -- for free.

You can unfreeze it for free, too, when you want to shop for a loan.

A freeze prevents lenders from pulling your credit report. A credit report is required for approval of a loan or a credit card.

“Restricting or ‘freezing’ your credit can stop criminals from stealing your identity and opening credit cards or applying for loans in your name,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann said. “Freezing your credit can help thwart the criminals who are trying to steal your personal information, which can be more valuable than your money.”

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More:Identity theft may be the easiest crime

A new federal law took effect on Sept. 21, nearly a year after a data breach at Equifax exposed personal information of about 143 million Americans. 

The changes in the federal law:

• All credit bureaus -- including TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax – must offer credit freeze, credit thaw and credit unfreeze at no charge.
• All credit bureaus must offer credit locks, for a charge, that can be used through a mobile app.
• Parents may request a credit file be created and frozen for children under 16.     
• Fraud alerts must last a year, an increase from 90 days.
• All active duty military, including members of the National Guard, must have free credit monitoring.

Prior to the change in the law, a Pennsylvania consumer paid more than $30 to freeze all three of their major credit reports.

More:Newville woman accused of using elderly relative's ID to get 6 credit cards

You must sign up with each credit bureau to place a credit freeze. You can do it online, by phone or in writing.

Step 1: Go to the credit bureau websites and locate the “security freeze” link.

For Equifax: www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/

For Experian: www.experian.com/freeze

For TransUnion: www.transunion.com/credit-freeze 

Type in your name, address, social security number and date of birth. You may be asked your previous address or questions about loans you’ve taken out.

Step 2: Select the security freeze option.

Step 3: Jot down your PIN number. You will need it to change the status of your freeze, like when you want to “thaw” or unfreeze it to get a loan for a new car or apply for a mortgage.

If the credit bureaus cannot readily verify your identity based on the information you provide, you may need to mail in copies of your driver's license, utility bills or other supporting documentation.

“Criminals using sophisticated internet weapons pose substantial risk to individual consumers and their families,” said Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman. “Pennsylvanians need to educate themselves on ways to protect their information.”

USA Today contributed to this story.

Jim Hook 717-262-4759