Even worse, is if you don't immediately notice a new account on your credit report, that then goes to collections. -_- 10 years later and I still get threatening calls from the shadiest of shady "collection agencies"

Do you know if there's any way to "notice" these new accounts without having to freeze your credit or otherwise mess with the normal process for getting new credit? I just want a notification, nothing else.

Credit Karma seems to do that OK. Their score is wildly different from their supposed source though.

Oh yeah I don't need the scores, I just want notifications for new accounts. Cool, thanks! I'll check it out.

must be terrifying. sorry about that. but free money is free money.