Identity Theft and Credit Freezes
A credit freeze helps restrict access to your credit report for new credit applications. It does not stop every form of identity theft or secure an already compromised account.
By ZoraSafe · Content reviewed
Freeze, alert and recovery are different steps
The FTC distinguishes a freeze from a fraud alert. Contact each nationwide credit bureau to place a freeze; a fraud alert asks creditors to take identity-verification steps. Follow official instructions for lifting a freeze when you need access.
Sources: FTC: Credit freezes and fraud alerts
Related guidance: Child Identity Theft and Credit Freezes
Respond to the misuse involved
Use IdentityTheft.gov to make a recovery plan. A fraudulent tax return, an existing bank-account takeover and a new credit application may need different responses.
- Confirm unfamiliar bills or account notices through the real organization.
- Keep a timeline and copies of reports and correspondence.
- Secure exposed accounts and review recovery details.
- Ask the relevant provider how to dispute the specific misuse.
Sources: FTC: What to know about identity theft; FTC: IdentityTheft.gov data breach response
Related guidance: Data Breach Response: Choose Steps for the Data Exposed
Avoid misleading shortcuts
A paid lock or monitoring offer is not the same as the free freeze process described by the FTC. Do not assume a freeze removes old records, repairs every account or guarantees that fraud will stop.
Sources: FTC: Credit freezes and fraud alerts
Sources and product references
Reviewed 2026-10-08. Source dates and scope matter; a linked source supports the associated guidance, not every claim about every product.