Looking for ways to protect your identity? Here are two ways:
 

Credit Freeze: 
While a freeze is in place, nobody can open a new credit account in your name 
Free 
Available to anyone, for any reason 
Lasts until you lift it 
To place: Contact all three credit bureaus 
To lift: Contact any bureau a lender will use to check your credit

Fraud Alert: 
Makes lenders verify your identity before granting new credit in your name 
Free 
Available to anyone who is or suspects they may be affected by identity theft 
Lasts one year 
To place: Contact one of the three credit bureaus. That bureau has to tell the other two.

How do I contact the credit bureaus? 
To place a credit freeze or fraud alert, here’s where to go: 
👉Equifax - Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services or 800-685-1111 
👉Experian - Experian.com/help or 888-397-3742 
👉TransUnion - TransUnion.com/credit-help or 888-909-8872 
➡Has someone used your information to open a new account or make a purchase? Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and find out what to do next to recover.