Monday's issue covered the Quest Diagnostics incident, where the number of affected patients is still unknown. Wednesday's covered a prescription report insurers can pull. Your credit file is a separate record, and a credit freeze is one step you can take for it. The FTC points to AnnualCreditReport.com as the authorized place to check your credit reports. A freeze tells a bureau to stop releasing your report to new lenders, which makes it harder to open an account in your name.
The FTC says anyone can place a freeze, for any reason, even without identity theft. It is free to place and lift, and it does not affect your credit score.
Before you start (2 minutes)
You need a freeze at each bureau. Experian and Equifax both say a freeze with them does not cover the other bureaus. The FTC says to contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Have your own details ready. Experian lists name, Social Security number, addresses, date of birth and ID for mail requests. Online requirements are not listed on its page.
Use a password manager or a note you control to save each login.
Step 1: Experian (about 5 minutes)
Go to Experian's credit freeze page and sign up for a free Experian account. Experian says you need one.
Place the freeze. Experian says it takes effect in real time.
Experian says you no longer need a PIN to manage the freeze.
Step 2: Equifax (about 5 minutes)
Go to Equifax's credit freeze page and select Place a Security Freeze. This starts creating a myEquifax account, which Equifax says you must be 18 or older to hold.
Finish the account and place the freeze. Equifax says placing, temporarily lifting or removing one is free.
Under 18, or no account wanted? Equifax lists a phone option at (888) 298-0045.
Step 3: TransUnion (about 5 minutes)
Go to TransUnion's credit freeze page and follow its steps. We could not load that page to check them, so match the labels on screen. The FTC says a freeze is free at each bureau.
Step 4: Lift it when you need credit
Lift a freeze at the bureau a lender will check, then refreeze after, per the FTC. Ask the lender which bureau it uses.
Experian lets you schedule a thaw with a start and end date.
The honest limits
A freeze is a request to each bureau, so a missed bureau stays open.
You will have to lift it before you apply for credit, then refreeze.
A fraud alert is a lighter option: the FTC says an initial alert lasts one year and needs only one bureau.
This page covers the three nationwide bureaus. Menu names change, so match the label, not the exact path.
Up next · Monday
This week's privacy news, one story, clearly explained.