Protect Your Credit

Identity theft and fraud can seriously damage your financial health. One of the most effective ways to protect yourself is to lock or freeze your credit reports so that new accounts cannot be opened without your permission.

Credit freezes are free, secure, and reversible

• A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. Credit freezes are free and protected by law, while credit locks are often paid services.
• A credit freeze prevents new credit accounts from being opened, but does not affect your credit score or existing accounts.
• Who should consider freezing their credit (answer: almost everyone)

Terminology:

“Credit freeze” = free and legally protected

“Credit lock” = often paid, bundled with monitoring services

A credit freeze WILL:

• Block lenders from accessing your credit file without permission
• Stop most fraudulent new-account activity

A credit freeze WILL NOT:

• Affect your credit score
• Stop existing creditors from reporting activity
• Prevent you from using your current credit cards

• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Address history
• Email address and phone number
• Secure place to store PINs or login credentials

• Website: Experian Credit Freeze page
• Steps:
  • Create or log in to your Experian account
  • Select “Freeze your credit”
  • Confirm your identity
  • Activate the freeze

• Website: Equifax Credit Freeze page
• PIN-based or account-based access
• Steps:
  • Create or log in to your Equifax account
  • Choose “Place a credit freeze”
  • Verify your identity
  • Confirm freeze

• Website: TransUnion Credit Freeze page
• Steps:
  • Create or log in to your TransUnion account
  • Select “Add freeze”
  • Complete identity verification
  • Activate freeze

• When you might need to lift a freeze (applying for a loan, credit card, apartment, or new cell phone carrier)

• Two options:
  • Temporary lift (date-based or creditor-specific)
  • Permanent removal

• How quickly changes take effect (usually minutes to 1 hour online)

• Monitor bank and credit card statements regularly
• Use strong, unique passwords for bureau accounts
• Consider fraud alerts if you’ve been exposed to a data breach

No

Yes, but you’ll need to temporarily lift the freeze.

Indefinitely, until you unfreeze it to apply for new credit. We recommend keeping your credit frozen unless you need to apply for a new loan or line of credit.