Why Freezing Your Credit Might Be the Smartest Move You Can Make Today

You’ve heard the news: data breaches, identity theft, stolen Social Security numbers.If it feels like your personal data is already “out there,” you’re not wrong — millions of Americans have had their information exposed through hacks at major companies, hospitals, and government agencies.

But here’s one step you can take today to dramatically lower your risk of identity theft:

Freeze Your Credit

A credit freeze stops thieves from opening new accounts in your name — even if they have your personal information. It’s free, takes just a few minutes, and you can unfreeze it anytime.

What Freezing Your Credit Does:

• Blocks new credit checks

• Stops thieves from opening loans, credit cards, or leases in your name

• Doesn’t affect your existing accounts or your credit score

What It Doesn’t Do:

• It won’t stop fraud on existing credit cards or bank accounts

• It doesn’t alert you if someone tries to use your info (for that, you need credit monitoring)

How to Freeze Your Credit (It’s Free)

You’ll need to do it with all three credit bureaus:

• Experian: https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/

• Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze

• TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

Each site will guide you through the steps. You’ll create a PIN or password to manage the freeze.

Our Advice:

If you're not applying for a mortgage, car loan, or new credit card anytime soon, freeze your credit now. It’s one of the most effective defenses against identity theft — especially in today’s breach-heavy world.