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Freeze your credit
Protecting what you build · Lesson 18 of 22 · 3 min
A credit freeze blocks new accounts from being opened in your name. It is free at all three bureaus, does not affect your score, and you can lift it temporarily in minutes when you actually apply for something.
It is the strongest free protection against identity theft, and it is worth doing even if nothing has happened. You can also freeze a child's file.
If you find fraud, report it at identitytheft.gov to get a recovery plan and the letters you need.
Takeaway
Freeze all three bureaus today. It's free, reversible, and blocks most fraud.
Next up: Interest and the grace period