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Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes are two important measures you can take to protect your credit from unauthorized access. While a credit freeze prohibits a hard credit check, a fraud alert simply asks a creditor to perform additional verification before granting credit. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of combining a credit freeze and fraud alert to maximize your credit protection.

What is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze is a service offered by the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - that blocks access to your credit report. This means that no one can access your credit report without your permission, including creditors, lenders, and even yourself. A credit freeze is an effective way to prevent unauthorized access to your credit and stop the opening of new accounts in your name.

What is a Fraud Alert?

A fraud alert is a service offered by the three major credit bureaus that alerts creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity before granting credit. This means that if someone tries to open a new account in your name, the creditor will be required to take additional steps to verify your identity before granting credit. Unlike a credit freeze, a fraud alert does not block access to your credit report, but it adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Why Use a Freeze and Alert Combination?

While a credit freeze is an effective way to prevent unauthorized access to your credit, it can be defeated by a determined adversary. A fraud alert adds additional layers of protection and should demand a phone call to a predetermined number. By combining a credit freeze and fraud alert, you are maximizing your credit protection and deterring a common criminal from accessing your credit report without your permission.

How to Set Up a Freeze and Alert Combination

Setting up a credit freeze and fraud alert is simple and can be done online in a matter of minutes. To set up a credit freeze, visit the websites of Equifax https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/ , Experian https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html , and TransUnion https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts and follow the instructions to freeze your credit. To set up a fraud alert, visit the same websites and select the 7-year extended fraud alert option. If you are a victim of identity theft, you may be eligible for a 7-year fraud alert, but proof of identity theft, such as a police report, may be required.

In conclusion, combining a credit freeze and fraud alert is the most effective way to protect your credit from unauthorized access. By adding multiple layers of protection, you are deterring common criminals from accessing your credit report without your permission. Take advantage of these free services offered by the three major credit bureaus to maximize your credit protection today.