If you need extra help setting up Twilio, configuring your credentials, or hosting the TwiML scripts see the medium post on setup and configuration. To see more about what we are building check out Pei.
Freezing credit is a good way to protect yourself from identity theft. The process consists of calling three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian), entering information, paying a fee (usually $10), and writing down the security pin used to unfreeze credit at a later date. In actuality, TransUnion and Equifax (pin and confirmation code) are known by the end of the call. However, at the time of publishing, Experian mails the pin needed to unfreeze your account to your address after the call is made.
Twilio's record feature is used to play back the recordings of the calls afterwards to debug or listen for the unfreeze information manually.
Check out our medium post to learn more about the Twilio setup or Pei if you want to know more about what we build on a daily basis.
Since the recent Equifax security breach, it has become evident that people need access to tools that can help prevent identity theft. Freezing credit is one of the most effective and highly recommend first steps, since the hack. This process can be done over the phone and takes about 3 hours, ~$30, and some personal information.
To automate the legacy process of freezing credit at all three bureaus; efficiently, effectively, and securely.
Open terminal in the project's folder:
npm install
Run the project:
npm start
Open browser to localhost:8080 and fill in the form. Check recordings after calls to debug or listen for pins.
Refer to our medium article for how to host TwiML and setup with your own Twilio account.
The following is the flow for each call to freeze credit at the major institutions. Credit to reddit, as this was originally found on the Equifax megathread.
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Phone Number: 888-909-8872
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Pin: Pin is the 6-digit code you entered and mailed to you after the call.
enter zip code
press 3 to add freeze
enter social security number
enter date-of-birth as 8 digits MMDDYYYY
enter house number from street address then # key
choose a 6 digit security code
press 1 to confirm
credit card number for $10 charge
4 digit expiration date of credit card MMYY
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Phone Number: 800-685-1111
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Pin: Pin and confirmation code are read back during the call. Check Twilio recordings to replay call and listen for this data.
press 3 to select freezes
press 1 to continue
say your state then 1 to confirm
enter social security number then 1 to confirm
enter house number from street address then # key, then 1 to confirm
press 1 to select a freeze
there will be a long pause at this point but when the bot comes back it goes very fast.
Write down the 10-digit pin provided XXXXXXXXXX then later,
Write down the 10-digit confirmation number provided XXXXXXXXX.
Press * to repeat both until you have it correct
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Phone Number: 888-397-3742
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Pin: This pin will be mailed to you after the call.
press 2 for freeze
press 2 for freeze
press 1 for add freeze
press 2 for no fraud report
enter social security number then # key then 1 to confirm
enter date-of-birth as 8 digits MMDDYYYY then 1 to confirm
enter zip code then # key
enter house number from street address then # key
press 2 for not blind
press 1 to pay by credit card
wait through list of charges by state
select credit card type 1 for mastercard, 2 for visa, 3 for american express, 4 for discover
enter credit card #, then 1 to confirm
4 digit expiration date of credit card then # key MMYY#
Description: TwiML are XML files that control the call flow. You can easily host these using TwiML bins. The URL of the bin will be passed into the Twilio client when making calls. Template variables (e.g. {{}}) are filled in by passing their values in the querystring to the bin's URL.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Response>
<Pause length="25"/>
<Play digits="{{ZipCode}}"></Play>
<Pause length="33"/>
<Play digits="w3"></Play>
<Pause length="10"/>
<Play digits="{{SSN}}"></Play>
<Pause length="10"/>
<Play digits="{{DOB}}"></Play>
<Pause length="6"/>
<Play digits="{{StreetNumber}}"></Play>
<Pause length="11"/>
<Play digits="{{SecurityPin}}"></Play>
<Pause length="7"/>
<Play digits="1"><Play/>
<Pause length="28"/>
<Play digits="{{CcNum}}"></Play>
<Pause length="4"/>
<Play digits="{{CcExp}}"></Play>
<Pause length="20"/>
</Response>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Response>
<Pause length="65"/>
<Play digits="w3"></Play>
<Pause length="60"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="2"/>
<Say voice="alice">{{State}}.</Say>
<Pause length="7"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="4"/>
<Play digits="{{SSN}}"></Play>
<Pause length="11"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="30"/>
<Play digits="{{StreetNumber}}"></Play>
<Pause length="7"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="12"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="120"/>
</Response>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Response>
<Pause length="13"/>
<Play digits="w2"></Play>
<Pause length="9"/>
<Play digits="w2"></Play>
<Pause length="5"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="12"/>
<Play digits="w2"></Play>
<Pause length="25"/>
<Play digits="{{SSN}}"></Play>
<Pause length="13"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="8"/>
<Play digits="{{DOB}}"></Play>
<Pause length="15"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="4"/>
<Play digits="{{ZipCode}}"></Play>
<Pause length="20"/>
<Play digits="{{StreetNumber}}"></Play>
<Pause length="12"/>
<Play digits="w2"></Play>
<Pause length="11"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="93"/>
<Play digits="{{CardType}}"></Play>
<Pause length="5"/>
<Play digits="{{CcNum}}"></Play>
<Pause length="17"/>
<Play digits="w1"></Play>
<Pause length="5"/>
<Play digits="{{CcExp}}"></Play>
<Pause length="60"/>
</Response>
It would be great to get help or comments in the following areas:
- Security
- Pause Method (lacks accuracy because of variable response time, speech recognition is one improvement option)
- Already frozen case
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.