Glossary
Credit freeze
Blocking new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
In more detail
A freeze at each of the three bureaus prevents lenders from pulling your credit, which prevents most new-account identity theft. It is free, it is a federal right, and you can lift it temporarily when you need credit.
Why it matters to you
Removal reduces the supply of data an identity thief needs. A freeze blocks the outcome regardless. They complement each other, and the freeze is free.
What to do
Freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Do it before you do anything else on this site.
Related terms
- PII (personally identifiable information)
Information that can identify a specific person, alone or combined with other data.
- FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
The federal law governing companies that assemble consumer reports, including background checks.