When should I use a credit freeze?

A credit freeze should be used whenever you believe your personal information or financial accounts are at risk of being compromised. This can include if you’ve received notification of a data breach, if you’ve been the victim of identity theft, if you’re applying for a loan, or if you’re closing a credit card account. In Florida, a credit freeze temporarily restricts access to your credit report, which can prevent a hacker or identity thief from opening new accounts in your name. A credit freeze also protects you from being denied credit or services due to inaccurate information appearing in your credit report. When you place a credit freeze, you’ll receive a unique PIN that must be provided each time you want to partially or fully lift the freeze. This makes it difficult for a potential identity thief to gain access to your credit report. Notably, it’s important to know that a credit freeze won’t stop someone from making charges on an existing account or from changes to existing accounts. It also won’t stop someone from making inquiries about your credit report. In order to ensure the best protection, you should place a credit freeze with each of the major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can do this online, over the phone, or by mail. If you’re a victim of identity theft, you may be eligible to place a credit freeze for free.

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When should I use a credit freeze?

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