I created the pin as part of the freeze process (they gave me the option of choosing my own pin). It says I must submit this number in order to temporarily or permanently remove the security freeze. It sounds like I can do the unfreeze online.
I kind of miss the good old days when the thieving scum had to dig through neighborhood trash cans to get your personal info…
@marilyn - it varies by state. For me it was $5 each. Created a pin for each freeze.
I am happy–just finished freezing my accounts and H’s. For us, it was $5 per account but $5.20 with Experian. So far, no charges from either of the two newer ones, Innovis and ChexSystems. Those two said they will send confirmations in the mail. I am hoping our folks want us to freeze theirs too, so they won’t keep being fraud victims.
Here’s a govt article on fraud alerts and credit freezes:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs#offers
How about setting up temporary alert? I understand it’s not as prohibitive but you can act on when someone tries to use your ID.
The temp alerts expire after 90 days, generally. You have to keep renewing. I figured with all the breaches it made more sense for US to just do a permanent freeze. The FTC link above talks about all the options plus answers common Qs about the choices.
Security freezes are free in the state of California if you’re age 65 so I set up permanent freezes online for the three major companies. Since I have free credit monitoring through AAA, I don’t think I need to get my free annual credit reports but might do that anyway. I bought a new car (for cash) in April and they pulled my credit score which was higher than they’d ever seen so I don’t think anyone was messing with my credit!
Why are they allowed to pull your credit score if you’re buying with cash? That seems wrong!
Much of what they do in car dealerships seems wrong. >:P I think they pulled it because I hadn’t come prepared to buy that day - didn’t bring a check - and they really really really wanted me to close. So they let me put a credit card down payment and sent me home with the car. After an hour of trying to sell me various warranties after my starting by saying I didn’t want any. But they might well have pulled it anyway. On a positive note we got a lot of Hilton points on the credit card thanks to that large down payment! Wish they’d let me charge the whole thing.
I did plan on buying ASAP and had done my research, just figured it would be a more delayed process. But only one car in the color I wanted.
I read somewhere that the PINs Equifax issues consist of the date and time the freeze was requested! So for the number of digits, the number of possible combinations is dramatically reduced compared to random numbers. I froze my credit with Transunion and was able to choose my own PIN.
I have also read that the more serious danger is bank and investment accounts. The advice was to use complex usernames and passwords, and set up two-step authentication (by text or email).
We were able to choose some of our PINs but nor all. Innovis and ChexSystems will be mailing us a PIN. I figured might as well do all the freezes instead of just the big 3.
I enrolled in Equifax’s offered protection, but then got an e-mail with a link to “finish the enrollment process.” I don’t want to click it because I’m not sure if it’s legit. 
From the NY Times:
YOUR MONEY
Here’s What to Do Now to Dig Out of the Equifax Mess
You’ll need a credit freeze. You’ll need a fraud alert. And don’t expect Equifax to be much help.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/your-money/identity-theft/equifaxs-instructions-are-confusing-heres-what-to-do-now.html
How to Protect Your Information Online
There are more reasons than ever to understand how to protect your personal information. Major website breaches seem ever more frequent.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/technology/how-to-protect-data-online.html
STATE OF THE ART
Seriously, Equifax? Why the Credit Agency’s Breach Means Regulation Is Needed
Equifax’s main job is to collect and maintain data. Now the hacking at the credit agency uncovers a gaping flaw in regulation over data storage.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/technology/seriously-equifax-why-the-credit-agencys-breach-means-regulation-is-needed.html
Those higher-ups at Equifax who sold stock after finding out about the breach should be treated just like Martha Stewart was.
^ That’s exactly what DH said.
I had put a credit freeze in place with all 3 agencies appox 2 years ago. I don’t have any plans for new lines of credit. This is absolutely the best way to protect yourself.
I am involved with data privacy issues in my legal practice and, in my opinion, this particular breach is not fixable. Go ahead and take all those suggested steps, but it is futile. The cat is out of the bag, so to speak. Have to just hope it isn’t your identity that is stolen/cloned.
Is there any other way they can use the stolen information? I froze credit but I would think there are ways they can still harm.
Very helpful information. However I am also concerned about tax returns. This is bound to produce a run of fraudulent tax returns.