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Generally, you will need to freeze at all three bureaus - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian - to make it effective. It's possible, however, that a bureau doesn't have a report on you - and it's silly to pay to freeze something that doesn't exist. So before you apply, get a copy of your free annual credit report from each bureau to see who has a report on you. You will also want to check the freeze terms at each bureau before deciding. How to apply: TransUnion has its system up and running. Send your name, Social Security number and a credit card number and expiration date (for the $10 charge) to TransUnion, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, Calif., 92834-6790. If you are a victim of ID theft, freezes and thaws are free. For more information, call 1-888-909-8872.
Credit freeze: Three largest credit bureaus will put a lock on data reporting to protect against fraud
As of Nov. 1, consumers wanting stronger protection against identity theft can freeze their credit reports at all three major credit-reporting agencies -- regardless of their state's laws. TransUnion was the first of the three largest credit bureaus to grant credit freezes to all consumers. It rolled out its plan on Oct. 15. Equifax and Experian mirrored the offer weeks later, and introduced their universal credit freeze plans on Oct. 31 and Nov.1, respectively. Consumers living in Michigan and other states that don't have credit freeze laws (or just limited ones), now have the ability to place a freeze on their TransUnion, Equifax and Experian credit reports. Victims of identity theft will be able to place, lift or thaw, and remove the freeze for free, while nonvictims will pay $10 each time.
Seasonal ales made to take the chill off
For beer enthusiasts, staying warm during the holidays means taking a break from cooking and shopping to bask in the comfort of a winter ale. They can be spicy, sweet or pumpkin flavored, but winter brews almost always have more alcohol than the average beer because, baby, it's cold outside, as entertainers from Louis Armstrong to Liz Phair have sung. Small brewers let loose this time of year to create something special, which means more ingredients, more fermentation and therefore more alcohol, said Stephen Beaumont, a beer expert in Toronto who has written five books about beer. "When you give free rein to brewers, they tend to use a lot of ingredients, and that makes for big beers," Beaumont said. The higher alcohol usually means a slightly higher price.
Survey: More see immigration as cultural threat
An anti-illegal immigrant sentiment is taking hold in the Houston region, according to a new Rice University survey showing that most white residents in Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties favor punishing employers who hire undocumented workers. The survey, released Thursday, reflects how contentious the illegal immigration debate has become and provides a fresh glimpse into regional attitudes about a subject that's increasingly becoming a major presidential election issue. The report is an extension of the 2007 Houston Area Survey released earlier this year that showed immigration support eroding among Harris County residents, where whites make up 37 percent of the population. "Anglos who live in predominantly Anglo areas are less likely to interact and meet minorities," said Stephen Klineberg, the Rice University sociology professor who has directed the annual survey for 26 years.
How Pratt-Dannals plans to move on the Wise initiatives
Former Duval County schools Superintendent Joseph Wise implemented several sweeping reforms during his two-year tenure. The Times-Union asked interim Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals to evaluate those initiatives and discuss what changes he plans to make. .
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