Locking Your Credit File

A credit lock allows you to easily lock your credit file helping to protect you against identity theft and unwanted credit activity.

Locking your credit file.

You log in and lock your transunion and or equifax credit reports. Freezing locking or applying for fraud alerts on your credit reports are all options for protecting your credit history after confirmed or suspected identity theft or fraud. A credit freeze is something you can put in place to limit others from viewing your credit reports including lenders. Locking your credit is a simple and effective way to help keep others from fraudulently opening new credit cards or taking out loans in your name.

It s also faster to put in place and lift than a credit freeze and is free at two of the major credit bureaus. If a credit freeze is something you d like to apply to your credit reports and scores learn how to request one at the experian s security freeze center. Both freezing and locking prevent potential lenders from accessing your credit file and a preventative measure to protect against identity theft. A fraud alert allows creditors to get a copy of your credit report as long as they take steps to verify your identity.

For example if you provide a telephone number the business must call you to verify whether you are the person making the credit request. Locking or freezing your credit file may help prevent criminals from opening fraudulent accounts in your name. If someone applies for credit in your name access is denied. A credit freeze locks down your credit.

A credit freeze is guaranteed by law whereas a credit lock is a product offered by the bureaus. When locked your experian credit file is not accessible to. The two biggest advantages of a lock are the ease with which you can lock and unlock your report at. If you don t plan on applying for any new credit in the near future and your state doesn t allow credit freezing fees a freeze may be the way to go.

Freezing your credit is an extreme step but it s something that might be necessary if you re dealing with identity theft and other measures such as fraud alerts haven t been effective for you. A credit lock also known as a security lock has the same result as a credit freeze but it s easier and quicker to lock and unlock your credit than to freeze and un freeze or thaw it. Locking your credit is a procedure that can help prevent identity theft and credit fraud by blocking access to your credit report.