Credit freeze
Free to place or lift and lasts until you lift it.
Fraud protection
Credit freeze, fraud alert, or identity theft report: what each one does
Credit freezes, fraud alerts, and identity theft reports solve different problems. A freeze limits new-credit access to your report; a fraud alert asks businesses to verify identity; IdentityTheft.gov helps document and recover from identity theft.
By CashTalks ·
Initial fraud alert
Free, lasts one year, and one bureau must notify the other two.
Identity theft
Use IdentityTheft.gov when your information was misused or accounts were opened fraudulently.
What a credit freeze does
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, which can make it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. You must contact all three nationwide credit bureaus to place freezes.
A freeze does not prevent all account misuse, fix existing report errors, or replace reviewing your reports. You may need to temporarily lift it before legitimate credit, rental, insurance, or employment checks.
What a fraud alert does
A fraud alert tells businesses to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. Unlike a freeze, it does not block access to your credit report.
An initial fraud alert lasts one year. An extended fraud alert is for identity theft victims with an FTC identity theft report or police report and lasts longer.
When to use IdentityTheft.gov
Use IdentityTheft.gov if someone used your information to open accounts, make charges, file taxes, get benefits, or otherwise impersonate you.
The recovery plan can help you organize steps, letters, and documentation. For legal deadlines, collection lawsuits, or complex fraud, get qualified legal help quickly.
FAQ
Do I need both a freeze and a fraud alert?
Some people use both. A freeze restricts access; an alert asks businesses to verify identity. The right choice depends on what happened and what applications you expect.
Does a freeze hurt my credit score?
The FTC says placing or lifting a credit freeze is free and does not affect your credit score.
Official Resources
- FTC credit freezes and fraud alerts
Federal Trade Commission guidance on credit freezes, fraud alerts, duration, cost, and when each option may fit.
- FTC IdentityTheft.gov
FTC recovery resource for reporting identity theft and getting step-by-step recovery guidance.
- AnnualCreditReport.com
Official site directed by federal law for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.