Should I put a security freeze on my credit?

Last week I left a hard-drive containing my entire life on a Southwest Airlines flight, attempts to recover it have been unsuccessful.

It contained everything, including Quicken back-ups, I’m sure a moderately skilled computer-user could ferret out all my critical data.

Jesus.

Yes, I’m an idiot, yes it’s terrible.

That said, what is the appropriate response here? I think a freeze is probably a good idea (at minimum).

From what I have read, a letter to the big 3 credit agencies will place a freeze on all access to credit, but is that enough?

If the hard-drive has fallen into the hands of cunning Russian gangsters, my identity and my estate are at risk (ok, “estate” is a bit grandiose)

Related question, will this action impact my credit score at all?

Thanks, any insight here is much appreciated.

You can put a free freeze on at each of the three credit bureaus online; it’s good for 3 months. They can do longer periods but you have to pay, I believe. It doesn’t hurt your credit score. I’d do it NOW. NOWNOWNOW. Yesterday, if possible.

and in the future encrypt everything.

800-680-7289

add an alert (automated)

easy as pie

it also gets shared with the other reporting agencies