19 Jul Will a credit freeze really protect me from fraud?

Q. A friend said I should freeze my credit reports as a fraud protection. Will that really work?
— Curious

A. A credit freeze will lock down your credit reports.

This limits access to your credit information. If anyone applies for credit in your name, they won’t be successful because no lender will issue credit without getting a look at your credit history.

A credit freeze can be placed either online or by telephone with the three major credit bureaus:

Experian: (888) 397-3742

Equifax: (800) 349-9960

TransUnion: (888) 909-8872

If you ever apply for credit, you can temporarily unfreeze the reports.

You will receive a PIN from each firm and you’d have to provide that to remove the freeze, so be sure to store it somewhere that will give you easy

While a freeze is a terrific fraud protection, there are other ways you could end up a victim. Make sure you never click on unknown links via email or text, and if you get a call from someone claiming to be a bank, the IRS or other agency, hang up. It’s probably a crook impersonating the entitity.

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This story was originally published in July 2026. 

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.