I've had mine locked for several years. It's not really that difficult, but a couple of times a sales person has told me the credit check won't go through. That's when I remember, oh yeah... it's locked. I ask them which company they check, and log into that bureau and unlock it temporarily. It's an inconvenience, but not really a big deal.
The closest I've come to having my identity stolen is there is another guy in my town who likes to put my phone number on credit card applications, and I get phone calls when he doesn't pay his bill. It's never been any worse than they tell me the middle name, I say no that's not me and give them my middle name, and they say thanks, sorry we bothered you.
Aries
~Sign of the Rams
