Any advantage in locking all credit bureaus?

[Superduper2014]

Hey guys. 

If I am not going to be applying for credit anymore or credit line increases. Is there any advantage to locking all 3? 

What could I be needind un unlocked file besides new credit or line increases?

Besides being more of a chore to do, is it really worth it?

I wonder how lenders look at this when they do their behind the scenes spying on you to see what's up with your credit files  

Would this help during these times of COVID in any way, let's say, it indicates to them that we are not applying for more lines or they have no access to even doing a SP for regular checkups when credit files are locked?

Thoughts? thanks a lot

[Anonymous]

Locking or freezing (I recommend a freeze instead of a lock) can prevent fraud because it blocks all inquiries for new credit but it won't stop existing lenders from being able to SP if they code it as an AR.

I have all three of my bureaus on ice again. It does block credit.com from being able to give me my credit score which I don't really care about and I have to remember to lift the freeze when I go to ask for CLIs from Synchrony (which I won't be doing anymore) so that the SP isn't bounced (they don't code them as AR, neither does Comenity) and sometimes there is a 10-15 minute delay during which apps can get declined after I put in a lift but it does act as a barrier to me being able to just go impulse app since it takes a bit of time to lift the freezes in addition to blocking fraud attempts.

[M_Smart007]

I keep mine locked, to make sure the fraudsters do not open anything in my name.

Also some years back, someone had tried to buy a car in my name.

They had successfully pulled my credit report (while unlocked). but never got the car.

I think @Jnbmom , just dealt with something pretty crappy. She might chime in. (sorry for what your going through Mom)

I lock EX through EX paid, and TU/EQ through TU basic bare minimum paid.

(I have found this to be the easiest method, at least for me)

It seems like fraud keeps getting worse .. around every corner.

@AnonymousMight chime in also, as to why He locks His.

[AllZero]

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@CreditInspired wrote:

Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion

Credit Bureau	Online	By phone	By mail
	Visit: Equifax Credit Freeze page	1-800-685-1111 (NY residents call 1-800-349-9960)	Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348
	Visit: Experian Credit Freeze page	1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742)	Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013
	Visit: TransUnion Credit Freeze page	1-888-909-8872	TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016

I found this on https://clark.com/credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/

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[Anonymous]

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@M_Smart007 wrote:

I keep mine locked, to make sure the fraudsters do not open anything in my name.

Also some years back, someone had tried to buy a car in my name.

They had successfully pulled my credit report (while unlocked). but never got the car.

I think @Jnbmom , just dealt with something pretty crappy. She might chime in. (sorry for what your going through Mom)

I lock EX through EX paid, and TU/EQ through TU basic bare minimum paid.

(I have found this to be the easiest method, at least for me)

It seems like fraud keeps getting worse .. around every corner.

@AnonymousMight chime in also, as to why He locks His.

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lol I was a bit quicker than you getting the post out

[M_Smart007]

I typed to slow

Had a phone call.

[Girlzilla88]

@Superduper2014     I keep mine locked too it also helps me to NOT do uneeded pulls for curiousity sake XD   SP or Not it's just a habit I want to keep so I can only app for what's important and keep my information protected in the meantime.    [Mod cut: This discussion is not allowed on the myFICO Forums. - KiB]    YMMV but I like them NO TOUCH xD

[Superduper2014]

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@Girlzilla88 wrote:

@Superduper2014     I keep mine locked too it also helps me to NOT do uneeded pulls for curiousity sake XD   SP or Not it's just a habit I want to keep so I can only app for what's important and keep my information protected in the meantime.    [Mod cut: This discussion is not allowed on the myFICO Forums. - KiB]  YMMV but I like them NO TOUCH xD

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Thank you all for your giving me your opinions on this! I will look into doing this for fraud prevention and [Mod cut: This discussion is not allowed on the myFICO Forums. - KiB] 

[Jnbmom]

I just locked all mine . I received a debit card in the mail this card is usually used to receive unemployment benefits and I am still employed thank goodness however this is one of the latest fraud going around 😡so now I have to keep close eye as someone has my info apparently 😡😡

[boosnark]

A good compromise is to place a fraud alert, which will instruct the lender to contact you if someone tries to open an account under your name. It will usually last for a year (renewable).