


It also doesn't prevent you from checking your credit report. Your credit score won't be impactedĪ credit freeze has no impact on your credit score.
TRANSUNION CREDIT FREEZE FREE
But now, all three credit bureaus allow you to put a free credit freeze in place. Which helps to reduce the risk to your finances.
TRANSUNION CREDIT FREEZE PRO
The biggest pro of this option is that it prevents someone else from opening an account with your information. Here are the benefits that you should consider if you're wondering, "should I freeze my credit?" Your risk of identity theft is reduced Is freezing your credit a good idea? And should you do it? While there are many advantages to doing this, there are also some downsides to keep in mind.įind out if it will improve your money situation. Before initiating this, it's important to understand the implications. Now you know what happens when you freeze your credit. Should you freeze your credit? Pros and cons Only when you decide to "thaw" your credit will lenders be able to access it again.Īlso, note that you can still use your existing credit cards and accounts during this time. And when lenders can't run a credit check, they can't extend a new credit line. Whenever the lock is engaged, potential creditors can't access it. However, current creditors and some government agencies can still see your credit report. If you choose this route, what happens when you freeze your credit? When you do this, lenders can't run credit checks. What happens when you freeze your credit? It's important to note that a credit lock is a similar option, but unlike a freeze, it isn't always free, and it's easier to undo. Others may freeze their credit when someone has already accessed their private information to prevent them from opening new accounts. Some people choose to leave their credit frozen all the time, only doing a temporary lift when they want to apply for credit. These are often used to help prevent or respond to a data breach and identity theft. They are a sort of lock designed to prevent identity theft, as people won't be able to open new accounts using your name and social security number. What is a credit freeze?Ī credit freeze - also known as a security freeze - is a tool that restricts access to your credit report. But the federal government has tools in place, including credit freezes, to help Americans secure their finances. If you have a social security number, you run the risk of someone using it for their own personal gain. Which can leave many people wondering if a credit freeze is a good idea. Unfortunately, there's no way to fully protect against identity theft. And the single most common method of identity theft involves the identity thief opening a new credit account in the victim's name. Well, 47% of Americans were victims of identity theft in recent years. Have you wondered, "Should I freeze my credit?".
