When Should You Lock Your Credit?

Differences Between a Credit Lock, a Credit Freeze and a Fraud Alert

Credit freezes and credit locks both limit others from viewing your credit report without your permission. Fraud alerts ask creditors to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. If a creditor can't review your reports or verify your identity, it won't be able to extend a new credit card or loan. So, if someone applies for an account in your name while one of the three following measures are in place, they shouldn't be able to get approved.

Having a fraud alert on your credit report will not prevent you from being able to open a new account once you provide proof of your identity. With a freeze or lock, you must first remove the freeze or unlock your file before you can apply.

While the benefits of a credit lock and a credit freeze are similar, how they work differs. Fraud alerts are a convenient option if you want a layer of fraud protection without having to prohibit access to your credit file. Here's an overview:

Credit Freeze

It's free to set up a credit freeze even if you haven't been a victim of identity theft. When you set up a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, you'll be able to toggle the freeze on and off from your Experian account. If you or someone else applies for a new line of credit in your name, the lender won't be able to view your credit report, which puts a stop to the application.

To freeze all three of your reports you'll need to contact the three consumer credit reporting companies—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—separately. You'll be asked to provide personal identifying information, including your Social Security number, photo ID and proof of residence, and you'll need to answer questions that verify your identity.

When you want to lift your credit freeze, you'll have to contact each bureau and go through their individual thawing (unfreezing) process. If you'd rather not lift the freeze entirely, you can log in to your Experian account online and schedule a temporary thaw.

Credit Lock

A credit lock gives you access to credit monitoring and limits companies from viewing your credit file. Like a credit freeze, you can unlock your credit file to give others access to your credit file whenever you want.

Experian CreditLock provides real-time alerts when someone applies for credit in your name and comes with identity theft insurance. You can also review your credit reports and FICO^® Score^☉ regularly, and you can speak to an Experian Credit and Fraud Resolution Agent if you ever need assistance resolving fraud or identity theft issues.

Your credit can be locked or unlocked through Experian with just a tap or click.

Fraud Alert

Freezing or locking your credit can help protect against fraud, but there's a third option to consider: fraud alerts. Fraud alerts work a bit differently, but they're a convenient method of limiting new accounts being opened in your name.

Fraud alerts don't close off access to your reports entirely or stop any and all new credit from being opened; they simply request creditors viewing your credit report to verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name.

There are three types of fraud alerts:

• Temporary fraud alert: This type of alert can be added to your report at any time and for any reason. It lasts one year, but can be renewed as many times as you'd like.
• Active-duty fraud alert: These fraud alerts help protect members of the military when they're on assignment away from home. Active-duty alerts last one year.
• Extended fraud victim alert: Reserved for victims of fraud, these alerts last seven years and require submission of the identity theft report or crime report filed with law enforcement.

Having a fraud alert in place doesn't prevent you from opening new, legitimate lines of credit. If you have a fraud alert on your credit report, there's no need to have it removed when you apply.

When Is the Right Time to Lock Your Credit?

You may consider locking your credit if you believe someone has accessed your personally identifiable information and is using it to apply for credit or services in your name. If you believe your Social Security number has been compromised or if one of your creditors experienced a data breach, taking safety measures right away can help protect against heartache later.

Even if your credit file is locked, it's important to continue monitoring your credit report. You can do this on your own or with help from Experian. Be sure to look out for major red flags, including hard inquiries you don't recognize, new credit accounts opened without your permission and unexpected changes to your credit scores.

How Do You Lock Your Credit?

You can set up a credit lock online, through any of the three credit bureaus. Each bureau has a slightly different process, but you can sign up for an Experian Premium membership to set up a credit lock with Experian, get three-bureau credit monitoring and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.

When you're ready to apply for a loan or a credit card, or to let a potential employer perform a background check, you'll need to unlock your credit. Removing a credit lock is simple, just log in to your account or use your mobile device to swipe or click to unlock your file.

Keep Your Information Safe

A credit lock can help protect against certain types of fraud, such as new credit accounts being created without your permission, but there are other types of fraud it's not designed to protect against. Fraudsters who access your mail or your online accounts can still try to use your credit card, or attempt tax fraud or insurance fraud by using your personal information.

Along with monitoring your credit for unusual activity, be sure to always practice caution with your sensitive information. Shred personal mail and account statements before throwing them away. Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet or car and never give out personal information to anybody you don't trust. Make sure you're aware of common scams so you can always take the best measures to keep you and your family safe.