Equifax credit freeze temporary lift free#

Identity theft occurs when fraudsters use your personal information, such as your social security number and date of birth, to commit financial fraud. How a Credit Security Freeze Prevents Identity Theft (2) A credit freeze is a no-cost, low-risk first line of defense against becoming one of those three people. One in every 3 people is likely to be the victim of identity theft. You can also still access your scores with credit monitoring services, so you won’t be totally left in the dark.

Equifax credit freeze temporary lift free#

It’s worth noting that a credit or security freeze does not affect your credit score or prevent you from getting your free annual credit report. Unauthorized credit activities can have a negative impact on your credit score and financial standing. By doing so, you stop fraudsters from opening new accounts or applying for loans using your personal information. A credit freeze, also referred to as a credit lock or a credit file security freeze, is a preventative measure that limits access to your credit reports.Ī credit freeze prevents anyone-potential creditors, lenders, marketers, and especially identity thieves-from viewing the information in your credit files.