freeze your credit<\/a>. This means that no one can open new accounts or lines of credit in your name. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile it may seem like a hassle, freezing your credit is relatively simple. In this guide, we’ll explain how to put a freeze on your credit and what it means for your financial life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is Credit Freezing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A credit freeze is a way to stop anyone from opening new accounts in your name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A credit freeze essentially puts your credit report on lockdown, making it harder for identity thieves to open new lines of credit in your name.
When you put a credit freeze on your report, potential creditors cannot see your report and therefore cannot extend you new credit. <\/p>\n\n\n
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It\u2019s important to note that a credit freeze does not stop all forms of identity theft<\/strong>. If an identity thief has already stolen your information to open an account, a credit freeze will not stop them from using these existing accounts.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\nIf you think you may be the victim of identity theft, or if you have already been the victim, you should take steps to protect your information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One way to do this is to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Another way to protect yourself is to freeze your credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Freeze Your Credit for Free<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To place a credit freeze on your report, you will need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax<\/strong>, Experian<\/strong>, and TransUnion<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can typically do this online or over the phone. Once you have contacted each bureau, you will be given a personal identification number (PIN) or password that you will use to unfreeze your account if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n