Stop thieves from opening credit cards, lines of credit, or loans in your name by freezing your credit report. It's free and easy to setup.

How a Security Freeze Works

In September 2019, a new law went into effect allowing all consumers to place a security freeze on their credit file free of charge. A security freeze is the best way to protect against unauthorized access to your credit report(s). While ID theft/credit monitoring is popular, these products typically alert you only after your credit file has been accessed. This may be too late to prevent fraudulent account opening. Placing a security freeze stops your credit from being accessed before credit could be granted. The freeze neither affects your credit score nor stops prescreened credit offers.

 

Unfreezing Your Credit

When you want to authorize access to your credit report (applying for a line of credit, loan, apartment, etc.), unfreezing your credit report is an easy process. Credit bureaus are required by law to lift a security freeze within one hour of a request. You can choose to temporarily lift a freeze so that it automatically re-freezes after access to your report has been authorized.

 

Getting Started 

SPIRE recommends everyone sign up for a credit/security freeze with the three major nationwide credit bureaus. For complete instructions on how to place a security freeze, please visit the Federal Trade Commission website. For more information, please visit myspire.com/fraud.

The information contained in this article is meant for general informational purposes only. You should not rely solely on one piece of information to protect yourself from ID Theft and/or fraud and in no way does SPIRE guarantee that ID Theft and/or fraud will never occur if you follow these recommendations.
SPIRE has made the utmost effort to make sure the information contained in this article is up-to-date and accurate. Under no circumstances shall SPIRE be liable for any loss or damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information provided within this article.
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