If one of the three major credit reporting agencies can be hacked, is any of our information really safe? Tune in to this week’s episode of The Money Guy Show where we review all the ways your credit is used and what impacts your overall credit score. We then spend a good majority of the show discussing how to monitor and protect your credit, especially in light of the Equifax data hack.

Brian and Bo provide you with all the information you need to:

• Establish and maintain good credit
• Leverage credit in day-to-day situations
• Understand what goes into rating your credit score
• Steps to take when things go bad… Equifax Data breach
• Find out if you are an impacted individual from the Equifax Data breach
• Keep up with your score and credit monitoring
• Spot errors, suspicious activity, and hard inquiries for new credit lines
• Consider a paid credit monitoring service
• Implement a credit freeze, its impact, and how to thaw your credit
• Fully understand the complete impact of the Equifax Data breach

Important information and links mentioned on the show.

• Find out if you are an impacted individual
• Access to Clark Howard’s credit freeze guides
• ChexSystems – check verification service and CRA
• Tax Return IRS IP Pin Protection
• Freezing child’s credit
• Info on freezing child’s credit with:
• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

Tune In and Go Beyond Common Sense with the Money Guys

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Brian and Bo investigate identity theft protection, and credit monitoring industries, as well as provide you with alternative methods to identity security that is available. This week’s episode is a must-listen and a great resource to keep an eye on your credit score, report, and security.

Brian reviews credit monitoring and protection industry while reviewing The Consumer Reports article Don’t get taken guarding your ID. The article points out our stance on these “services” and highlights how easy it is to monitor your credit yourself for free. If you are worried about credit fraud the single best way to protect yourself is through a “credit freeze,” and when you need credit you can “thaw” your credit within 15 minutes. If you are doing all of these things already and want a snapshot of how good you are at protecting your identity IDSafety.net has a quiz that is a great resource.

Brian and Bo also give you resources to access your credit scores from all 3 credit bureaus:

Transunion: www.creditkarma.com
Experian: www.creditsesame.com
Equifax: With certain discover credit cards, discover will print your score on your Equifax monthly statement.

As always, you can download your credit report once per year per bureau through www.annualcreditreport.com. The guys also give you an outlet to protect your security when filing your taxes. The IRS has implemented measures to help safeguard your identity through their IP PIN program.