Review free credit freezes and fraud alerts

Choose the control that matches the purpose

The FTC says a security freeze is free to place and lift, lasts until lifted, and does not affect a credit score. An initial fraud alert is different: lenders can still see the report but must verify identity before granting new credit. An initial alert lasts one year and can be renewed. FTC: freezes and initial fraud alerts

The CFPB distinguishes the free legal right to a security freeze from credit-lock products that can be bundled with paid services. Review the free security-freeze option before agreeing to a subscription. CFPB: security freeze limits, rights and timing

Review each nationwide bureau separately

The FTC says to contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately for freezes. For an initial fraud alert, contact one of the three; that bureau must tell the other two. Do not assume the alert's notification process also places freezes everywhere. FTC: freezes and initial fraud alerts

1. Start from the CFPB's official freeze guide and its bureau links. Read the scope and identity-verification requirements on the intended bureau's site. Each nationwide credit-reporting company must receive its own freeze request. CFPB: security freeze limits, rights and timing
2. Experian's public help offers a free account to view freeze status, add or remove a freeze, or schedule a thaw with start and end dates. It says a PIN is no longer needed for its current online management. The page also provides phone and mail routes. These are Experian instructions, not a universal menu for every bureau. Experian: free freeze management and scheduled thaw
3. TransUnion documents a free Service Center account for adding a freeze, checking status, removing it or choosing Temporarily Lift Freeze and dates. Its current help allows scheduling a lift up to 15 days ahead and lists phone and mail alternatives. Follow the separate protected-consumer instructions when acting for someone else. TransUnion: free Service Center freeze controls

Plan a lift around an intended application

The FTC recommends asking which bureau the lender will use, lifting the needed freeze for that access, and restoring it after the need passes. A freeze can otherwise interfere with the consumer's own new-credit application. FTC: freezes and initial fraud alerts

For a valid nationwide-bureau request, CFPB guidance gives placement within one business day by phone or secure electronic means, or three business days after receipt by mail. Removal or a temporary lift is due within one hour electronically or by toll-free phone, or three business days after receipt by mail. Allow time for the relevant process and confirmation. CFPB: security freeze limits, rights and timing

Experian says its online thaw can have start and end dates. TransUnion distinguishes a temporary lift from removing the freeze entirely. Check the displayed dates and final status so the chosen action matches the intended access period. Experian: free freeze management and scheduled thaw · TransUnion: free Service Center freeze controls

Review the report and any errors separately

The FTC identifies AnnualCreditReport.com as the authorized site for the free annual reports required by law and describes the bureaus' free weekly program there. Its guide also gives phone and mail routes. Identity checks can require sensitive information; follow the official route instead of an unsolicited message or lookalike site. The FTC says the bureaus and that service will not email asking for a Social Security number or account information. FTC: free report routes and identity checks

The same FTC guide says to check reports for accuracy and dispute errors with the bureau and the business that supplied them. If identity theft is suspected, it points to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. A freeze does not by itself correct an inaccurate account already recorded. FTC: free report routes and identity checks

Check the company behind a separate screening decision

The CFPB directory describes specialty reports beyond the three nationwide bureaus. For tenant or deposit-account decisions, it explains notices identifying the screening company used. Review that identified report and the company's applicable rights and controls rather than assuming a nationwide credit freeze covers every specialty record. CFPB: nationwide and specialty reporting companies