Data breaches, cybercrime, and identity theft - are all commonplace in 2024 and are projected to rise in the coming years. In fact, cybercrime is projected to cost the world $12 trillion in 2025. Identity theft is particularly concerning, as it can cause great financial and emotional issues for anyone who becomes a victim. It can take months or even years to recover from identity theft and is not easy to accomplish. One effective tool in fighting identity theft, however, is performing a credit freeze. When someone freezes their credit, they can add a layer of identity theft protection that prevents unauthorized access to their reports.
In this article, we’ll explain why the action of freezing your credit is so important, how it exactly works, and some other tactics you can employ to ward off identity theft.
What Is a Credit Freeze and How Does It Work?
A credit freeze or a security freeze simply stops anyone from accessing your credit report. By performing a credit freeze, anyone attempting to open a new credit account in your name will be unable to do so. That means financial lenders, creditors, or anyone else, will also not be able to view your credit history. In short, to freeze your credit is to block unauthorized access, and it’s one of the simplest ways to prevent identity theft according to Key Private Bank.
How Does a Credit Freeze Differ from a Fraud Alert?
A credit freeze and a fraud alert are similar tactics in the fight against identity theft, however, there are some key differences. Simply put, a credit freeze blocks access to your credit file until you instruct the credit bureaus to remove the freeze. A fraud alert enables creditors to view your report but enforces them to verify your identity with more steps. Performing a credit freeze is a stronger method of identity theft protection because it makes it significantly harder for cyber scammers to hijack your account.
Why Freezing Your Credit Is the Best Identity Theft Defense
There are many reasons why freezing your credit is the best identity theft defense. These are the top five:
- Preventing Unwanted New Applications: One of the most common ways scammers take advantage of identity theft is by creating new credit cards or opening new loans in a victim’s name. With a credit freeze, lenders cannot access your credit report to approve new accounts.
- Long-Term Financial Identity Protection: A credit freeze is indefinite. It will not be lifted unless you explicitly as for it to be done. This makes it an extremely effective way to fight identity theft in the long term, and a great way for consumers to secure their financial identity.
- It’s Easy and Free: Performing a credit freeze with any of the three credit bureaus is now free! It’s extremely easy to do and you can unfreeze your credit report on an as-needed basis. This makes it a very flexible tool for ongoing identity theft protection.
- No Impact On Your Credit Score: Performing a credit freeze has no impact on your credit score itself. All it does it locks your file to prevent any unauthorized access. You can still use your existing credit cards, apply for jobs, or rent an apartment without running into any issues.
- Regaining Control: A credit freeze empowers you to control who has access to your financial data. By freezing your credit, you take proactive steps to protect yourself, rather than waiting to react to any potential fraud.
When Should You Freeze Your Credit?
Learning when should you freeze your credit is paramount in fighting identity theft. It’s a smart move for anyone, but it is especially critical in the following situations:
- After a Data Breach: If information like your Social Security number was exposed in a data breach, freezing your credit right away can prevent scammers from exploiting it.
- If Identity Theft Is Suspected: If you notice suspicious activities on your credit reports or any of your financial bank statements, freezing your credit can stop more activities from happening in the future.
- As a Preventative Measure: Even if you haven’t been affected by fraud, freezing your credit is a smart and proactive way to secure your financial identity and minimize risk.
How to Freeze Your Credit Step-by-Step
Freezing your credit involves contacting the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can visit their websites or call their support lines to perform a credit freeze. Each bureau will ask that you verify your identity first, so you should be prepared to share sensitive information such as your SSN, birthdate, address and other pieces of information. Your credit report will then be frozen and they will give you a PIN code or password which needs to be used to unfreeze your credit report.
How to Unfreeze or Thaw Your Credit
If you need to apply for a loan, mortgage, or any other similar service, you can temporarily lift (thaw) your credit freeze. This can be done online, over the phone, or via mail with the dedicated PIN or password you received from the credit bureau. A temporary lift enables accesss your credit file for a specific period or a designated entity.
Additional Steps for Comprehensive Identity Theft Protection
While a credit freeze is an excellent first line of defense, consider the following steps for a well-rounded identity theft protection strategy:
- Monitor Your Credit Reports Regularly: Access free reports through annualcreditreport.com.
- Enable Account Alerts: Use banking alerts to monitor suspicious transactions.
- Use Strong Passwords: Secure your accounts with unique and strong passwords.
- Consider Identity Theft Insurance: Explore insurance options like the one from Online Security, which help recover losses and expenses related to identity theft.
Securing Financial Identity: Take Control of Your Financial Security
Freezing your credit is one of the most effective ways to secure your financial identity. By blocking unauthorized access to your credit report, you can prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name. The process is free, easy, and puts control back into your hands. At ReasonLabs, we’re committed to helping you navigate the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats. Take action today—freeze your credit and safeguard your identity against the unexpected.
