What is the difference between a fraud alert and a security freeze?
Placing a fraud alert means that your file will be flagged, requiring creditors to call you or otherwise verify your identity before issuing new credit. Fraud alerts are always free. A security freeze is stronger and more effective than a fraud alert, because it prevents anyone from accessing your credit file for any reason unless you instruct the credit bureaus to unfreeze your report. The procedures and costs vary from state to state (in some states, security freezes are free for identity theft victims). For state-by-state information on security freezes, visit http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.
Placing a fraud alert means that your file will be flagged, requiring creditors to call you or otherwise verify your identity before issuing new credit. Fraud alerts are always free. A security freeze is stronger and more effective than a fraud alert, because it prevents anyone from accessing your credit file for any reason unless you instruct the credit bureaus to unfreeze your report. The procedures and costs vary from state to state (in some states, security freezes are free for identity theft victims.
