Freeze Your Credit to Protect Against Identity Theft
Why Should I Freeze My Credit?
Freezing your credit is one of the best ways to combat identity theft, and it’s free. Security experts recommend that all Americans take a few minutes to complete this important step in protecting their personal credit files, especially in an era when cybersecurity breaches are on the rise. Cybersecurity expert David Malicoat suggests placing a security freeze on your credit files at the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Recent lawsuits against hackers accessing “Social Security Numbers for Billions of People” serve as a stark reminder of the importance of credit freeze. Malicotte advises, “Everyone should freeze their credit until you need it. Just click a button, and no changes are allowed until it’s unfrozen.”
How Do I Freeze My Credit?
To freeze your credit, go directly to each credit bureau’s respective website, create a username and password, and log in to your account. Once logged in, you can easily freeze your credit with the click of a button. If you haven’t visited a credit bureau’s website before, you can access your credit report for free and select the option to freeze your credit report. Malicotte emphasizes the simplicity of the process, stating, “It’s free, and you can choose a specific credit bureau by saying, ‘Freeze my credit report.'”
Protecting Your Identity
On Friday, National Public Data confirmed a security incident that may have involved some personal information. They advised the public to take measures to protect their identities, including freezing their credit. A credit freeze prevents potential creditors from accessing your credit report, reducing the risk of identity thieves opening new accounts in your name. It also prevents unauthorized individuals from applying for loans, opening credit cards, or making transactions that require a credit check. If a legitimate party needs to run a credit check and is unable to do so due to the freeze, they can contact you to lift the freeze. The primary purpose of locking your credit is to prevent unauthorized access to your information.
By taking the simple step of freezing your credit, you can greatly reduce the risk of falling victim to identity theft and financial fraud. Don’t wait until it’s too late – protect your personal information today by freezing your credit.
