Fraud & identity theft

Discover how to safeguard your financial and personal information to protect against fraud and identity theft.

Cybersecurity

Data breach

Fraud alert

Prevention

Security freeze

Dispute

Report advice

Score advice

Editors' picks

Smiling young woman seated at a table using a laptop in a bright living room, with a smartphone and a glass of orange juice on the table. Large windows, indoor plants, and a light-colored sofa are visible in the background.

How to Keep Your Social Security Number Safe

By John Egan

Aug 13, 2026Prevention

A man with his hand to his face and his credit card in his other hand. frowns while looking at his computer screen.

Do Fraud Alerts Expire?

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 3, 2026Fraud alert

Concerned man sitting at a table in a home setting, working on a laptop with one hand on the keyboard and the other resting on their forehead, with shelves and household items visible in the background.

How to Check for Identity Theft

By Marianne Hayes

Jul 27, 2026Prevention

A mother and a teenage daughter sitting on the floor in the living room and using a laptop

What Do I Do if My Child’s Data Was Exposed in a Data Breach?

By Karen Axelton

May 13, 2026Data breach

A stressed man sitting at a table looking at papers and his laptop while a woman holding a baby looks at him with sympathy.

What to Do If Your Child’s Identity Is Compromised

By Stefan Lembo Stolba

May 8, 2026Data breach

Mature woman shows some paperwork to her partner who seems concerned

Here’s What You Should Do After a Data Breach

By Jim Akin

Apr 3, 2026Data breach

A woman coaching a man on cybersecurity essentials. They are sitting at desks with many computer monitors showing code.

What Is Cybersecurity?

By Louis DeNicola

Jun 30, 2025Cybersecurity

Concerned senior woman looking at the laptop screen

What Can Identity Thieves Do With Your Personal Info and How Can You Protect Yourself?

By Louis DeNicola

Apr 8, 2025Prevention

Focused young woman using her laptop at home

How to Protect Your Personal Information Online

By Evelyn Waugh

Apr 3, 2025Prevention

Take action with these tools

Identity theft protection

Identity theft protection and fraud detection for you and your family.

Compare plans

Security freeze

Limit access to your Experian credit report.

Fraud alert

Add or remove a fraud alert on your Experian credit file.

Free dark web scan

Scan for your Social Security number, email and phone number.

Free personal privacy scan

Check your info and reduce your risk of hacking, spam and robocalls.

Free credit report

Get access to your free Experian credit report and FICO^® Score^Θ.

Free credit monitoring

Stay on top of your credit and monitor your spending.

What others are reading

Portrait of happy young couple using laptop, hugging dog, sitting together on comfortable sofa at home.

How to Unfreeze Your Credit Report at All 3 Credit Bureaus

If you’re applying for credit and have frozen credit reports, here are some steps you can ...

By Ben Luthi

Oct 10, 2025Security freeze

How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Credit Bureaus

By Louis DeNicola

Sep 22, 2025Security freeze

Identity Theft Victim Assistance

By Karen Axelton

Jan 27, 2026Fraud & identity theft

How to Temporarily Lift a Security Freeze

By Ben Luthi

Aug 26, 2025Security freeze

Credit Freeze and Credit Lock: What’s The Difference?

By Jim Akin

Jul 23, 2024Security freeze

5 Steps to Take if Someone Opens a Credit Card in Your Name

By Louis DeNicola

Jan 23, 2025Fraud & identity theft

The latest from our experts

How Common Is Credit Card Fraud?

Credit card fraud is the most common type of identity theft, but you can take steps to sto...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 31, 2026Fraud & identity theft

Is It Safe to Borrow Money From Strangers Online?

Borrowing money from strangers online generally isn't a good idea, so here are a few alter...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 26, 2026Cybersecurity

Is Shopping on Social Media Safe?

Shopping on social media may help you discover new brands and trends, but it comes with ri...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Aug 26, 2026Prevention

5 Financial Scams That Target Your Bank Account

Most scammers that target your bank account will try to trick you into sending funds out o...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 26, 2026Fraud & identity theft

7 Red Flags to Look for When Shopping Online

Shopping online can be convenient and help you save money. But you have to watch out for s...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 25, 2026Prevention

What Is an Identity Theft Affidavit?

Identity theft affidavits are available from the Federal Trade Commission, IRS and some st...

By John Egan

Aug 25, 2026Fraud & identity theft

What Is Child Identity Theft?

Child identity theft is when a criminal steals a minor's personal data and uses it to open...

By Brianna McGurran

Aug 24, 2026Fraud & identity theft

Don’t Fall for These Online Marketplace Scams

Fraudsters often use online marketplace scams to target buyers and sellers. From there, th...

By Marianne Hayes

Aug 20, 2026Prevention

When Should You Lock Your Credit?

If your personal information was stolen, setting up a credit lock right away can help you ...

By Sarah Brady

Aug 19, 2026Prevention

How to Avoid Travel Scams

Travel scams can turn booking a trip into a nightmare, but you can avoid falling victim wi...

By Evelyn Waugh

Aug 11, 2026Prevention

What Are AI Scams?

Scammers are using AI to write emails, generate images and create deepfake videos. Learn a...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 10, 2026Fraud & identity theft

How to Protect Yourself From Mail Fraud

Awareness, vigilance and some extra security measures can help you avoid mail fraud, which...

By Jim Akin

Aug 6, 2026Prevention

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Auto Insurance Advice

Fraud & identity theft

Cybersecurity

Data breach

Fraud alert

Prevention

Security freeze

Dispute

Report advice

Score advice

Editors' picks

How to Keep Your Social Security Number Safe

Do Fraud Alerts Expire?

How to Check for Identity Theft

What Do I Do if My Child’s Data Was Exposed in a Data Breach?

What to Do If Your Child’s Identity Is Compromised

Here’s What You Should Do After a Data Breach

What Is Cybersecurity?

What Can Identity Thieves Do With Your Personal Info and How Can You Protect Yourself?

How to Protect Your Personal Information Online

Take action with these tools

Identity theft protection

Security freeze

Fraud alert

Free dark web scan

Free personal privacy scan

Free credit report

Free credit monitoring

What others are reading

How to Unfreeze Your Credit Report at All 3 Credit Bureaus

How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Credit Bureaus

Identity Theft Victim Assistance

How to Temporarily Lift a Security Freeze

Credit Freeze and Credit Lock: What’s The Difference?

5 Steps to Take if Someone Opens a Credit Card in Your Name

The latest from our experts

How Common Is Credit Card Fraud?

Is It Safe to Borrow Money From Strangers Online?

Is Shopping on Social Media Safe?

5 Financial Scams That Target Your Bank Account

7 Red Flags to Look for When Shopping Online

What Is an Identity Theft Affidavit?

What Is Child Identity Theft?

Don’t Fall for These Online Marketplace Scams

When Should You Lock Your Credit?

How to Avoid Travel Scams

What Are AI Scams?

How to Protect Yourself From Mail Fraud