How do I freeze my credit?

Freezing your credit is a smart way to protect yourself from identity theft. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Contact the Credit Bureaus: You’ll need to contact the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can usually freeze your credit online, by phone, or by mail.

2. Provide Your Information: You’ll need to provide some personal information to verify your identity. This could include your name, address, Social Security number, and possibly other details.

3. Set up the Freeze: Once your identity is verified, you can set up the credit freeze. This restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

4. Save Your PIN: Make sure to keep a record of the PIN or password you receive when you place the freeze. You’ll need this to lift the freeze when you want to apply for new credit yourself.

5. Monitor Your Credit: While a credit freeze is a great tool for preventing new accounts from being opened in your name, it doesn’t prevent all types of identity theft. So, it’s a good idea to monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.

6. Cost of Freezing and Unfreezing: Depending on where you live, there may be a small fee to freeze and unfreeze your credit. Make sure you’re aware of any costs involved.

By following these steps, you can