Two days ago, I accidently left my credit card in a restaurant. When I called them, they said that they didn’t have it, so I called the credit card company and reported it missing. My son said that I needed to report it to the three credit-reporting agencies. I don’t recall who these people are or how to contact them. I was told that I need to put a credit freeze and a fraud alert on my card. I’m confused. Aren’t these the same thing? -- Eleanor K.
A credit freeze is so that no new credit card can be opened using your name without your authorization. You will need to use a PIN , which will be given to you when you put a freeze on your credit card. No one will be able to access your credit reports unless you lift that freeze. According to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift your credit freeze. You need to contact all three agencies:You should also place a fraud alert on your credit card.
I also add coffee grounds from freshly brewed coffee to my potted plant’s soil. My marigolds and geraniums are beautiful and seem to love the added coffee grounds. -- Maureen S., Chattanooga, Tennessee