Proactive Credit Freeze Can Protect Against Identity Theft

Freezing your credit is a simple step to block thieves from opening fraudulent accounts in your name.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 9:11pm

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Identity theft remains a rising issue, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting 1.15 million victims in the first three quarters of 2025. Proactively freezing your credit is one of the best defenses against thieves who want to open fake accounts in your name. A credit freeze blocks lenders from accessing your credit report, making it much harder for identity thieves to open accounts fraudulently.

Why it matters

Identity theft can have serious financial and personal consequences for victims. Freezing your credit is a simple, free step that can help protect you from becoming a target.

The details

To freeze your credit, you need to contact the three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This can be done online, by phone, or by mail. The process typically takes one business day when done online or by phone, and three business days when done by mail. While a credit freeze stops new lenders from opening accounts in your name, it does not prevent fraud on your existing accounts, so it's important to also monitor your financial accounts and credit reports.

  • In the first three quarters of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported 1.15 million identity theft victims.

The players

Federal Trade Commission

The U.S. government agency that protects consumers and promotes competition.

Experian

One of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States.

Equifax

One of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States.

TransUnion

One of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States.

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The takeaway

Freezing your credit is a simple, free step that can help protect you from identity theft by blocking thieves from opening fraudulent accounts in your name. While it doesn't prevent fraud on existing accounts, it's an important proactive measure to consider in the fight against rising identity theft.