Free Credit Freezes

What is it?

• A credit freeze restricts access to your credit file, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Usually you get a PIN to use each time you want to freeze and unfreeze your account to apply for new credit.

What's new?

• It is free to freeze and unfreeze your credit file throughout the country.
  
  

Free Child Credit Freezes

What is it?

• A child credit freeze allows you to freeze a child’s credit file until the child is old enough to use credit.

What's new?

• No matter where you live, you’ll be able to get a free credit freeze for children under age 16.
  
  
  

Year-long fraud alerts

What is it?

• A fraud alert will tell any business that runs your credit that they should check with you before opening a new account.

What's new?

• An initial fraud alert will last for one year. It is still free and identity theft victims can still get an extended fraud alert for seven years.

Equifax, Experian  and TransUnion must each set up a webpage for requesting fraud alerts and credit freezes. The FTC will also post links to those webpages on IdentityTheft.gov.

And if you’re in the military, there’s more. Within a year, credit reporting agencies must offer free electronic credit monitoring to all active duty military.