Credit Freezes Explained
A credit freeze is one of the most effective tools for protecting your identity — and it's free. Here's what it does, how to use it, and when it matters.
What a freeze does
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. When your file is frozen, potential creditors can't pull your report, which means they can't open new accounts in your name. Existing creditors can still access your report for account management.
How to freeze your credit
You must freeze your credit individually with each of the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It's free by federal law. You'll receive a PIN or password to unfreeze when needed. ScorePros AI provides guided freeze instructions for all three bureaus.
Freeze vs. lock vs. monitoring
A freeze is a legal protection under federal law. A lock is a bureau product that does something similar but isn't governed by the same regulations. Monitoring watches your report for changes but doesn't prevent unauthorized access. Freezes are the strongest protection.
When to temporarily lift a freeze
If you're applying for credit, renting an apartment, or going through any process that requires a credit check, you'll need to temporarily lift your freeze. You can lift it for a specific period or for a specific creditor.
Secondary agencies
Beyond the big three, there are secondary agencies that also maintain consumer data: ChexSystems, LexisNexis, Innovis, and others. Freezing with these agencies provides additional protection. ScorePros AI helps generate freeze request packets for secondary agencies.
ScorePros AI puts this knowledge to work
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