What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For most identity-theft victims worried about someone opening new credit, freeze your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze restricts prospective creditors’ access to your report. You can also add a fraud alert, which asks businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit. Both are free, and the FTC says you can use them together.
A freeze or alert does not protect accounts that are already open. Report the identity theft, contact any affected bank or card issuer, and check your statements and credit reports for unfamiliar activity.
Credit freeze vs. fraud alert: what is the difference?
A credit freeze and a fraud alert work differently. A freeze restricts prospective creditors’ access to your credit report, making it harder for someone to open credit in your name. A fraud alert leaves the report accessible but tells businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit. The FTC’s comparison of credit freezes and fraud alerts explains both protections.
| Protection | What it does | Where to request it | Duration and eligibility | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Restricts prospective creditors’ access to your report. | Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately. | Available to anyone and remains in place until you lift it. | Free. |
| Initial fraud alert | Asks businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit; it does not block report access. | Contact any one of the three nationwide bureaus; it must notify the other two. | Available to anyone who is or suspects they may be affected by identity theft; lasts one year and can be renewed. | Free. |
| Extended fraud alert | Asks businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit; it does not block report access. | Contact any one bureau; it must notify the other two. | For someone who experienced identity theft and has an FTC Identity Theft Report or police report; lasts seven years. Renewal requires resubmitting the report. | Free. |
An extended alert also removes you from unsolicited credit and insurance marketing lists for five years, unless you ask to remain on them, according to the FTC’s detailed guidance.
#1 Best Overall
Which protection should you choose after identity theft?
Choose a freeze to make new-account fraud harder
If your main concern is a thief applying for credit in your name, freeze your reports at all three bureaus. A freeze restricts access to the reports prospective creditors commonly use to assess applications. The FTC says a freeze is available anytime, for any reason, and does not affect your credit score.
Add an alert for an extra identity check
A fraud alert can add another layer: it asks businesses to take steps to verify that a credit applicant is you. Because it does not restrict access to your report, it is not equivalent to a freeze. You can have both protections at once. An initial alert is available to anyone who suspects identity theft; if you experienced identity theft and have an FTC Identity Theft Report or police report, you can request the seven-year extended alert.
How to put a freeze or alert in place
Freeze your reports at all three bureaus
- Use the bureau links provided by the FTC’s credit-freeze and fraud-alert page to reach Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Request a freeze from each bureau individually. A request to one bureau does not freeze the other two.
- Keep the credentials and instructions each bureau provides so you can lift or manage the freeze later.
According to the FTC’s credit guidance, an online or phone request must be acted on within one business day to place a freeze. To lift one, the bureau must act within one hour after an online or phone request. A mailed request has a three-business-day timeframe.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Request an alert from one bureau
- Contact any one of the three nationwide bureaus through the official bureau links on the FTC page.
- Request an initial fraud alert if you suspect your identity has been compromised.
- If you have experienced identity theft and have an FTC Identity Theft Report or police report, request an extended alert and submit the required report. To renew an extended alert, resubmit the report.
The bureau you contact must notify the other two, so you do not need to submit an alert request to all three.
What a freeze and alert do not protect
Neither measure stops a thief from using an account that is already open, such as making unauthorized charges on an existing card. Contact the affected bank, card issuer, or other financial institution promptly, and keep checking bills and statements for suspicious transactions. The FTC’s identity-theft guidance directs victims to report the problem and take recovery steps.
Review your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or other entries, and dispute information you do not recognize. A freeze is about access to your report for prospective credit decisions; it is not a substitute for securing affected accounts or monitoring them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Identity-theft recovery steps to take alongside a freeze
- Report the theft. Go to IdentityTheft.gov and follow the personalized recovery plan.
- Freeze all three credit reports. Use the FTC’s official bureau links and submit a separate request to each bureau.
- Add an alert if useful. Request an initial alert from one bureau, or an extended alert if you meet its identity-theft and report requirements.
- Check reports and account records. Look for unfamiliar credit-file entries, review bank statements and bills, dispute incorrect entries, and contact institutions affected by unauthorized accounts or transactions.
- Keep monitoring existing accounts. A credit freeze does not stop activity on accounts that are already open.
For paper records containing personal or financial information, the FTC recommends shredding them before disposal. That is a limited privacy measure, not a replacement for freezing reports or responding to account fraud.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
