On August 17, 2021, T-Mobile disclosed a massive data breach. Do incidents like this make you wonder what you can do to protect your credit? Perhaps freezing your credit is an option. Read further to find out how you can take this preventative measure.

The Big Freeze

A credit freeze can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information, if it was stolen or compromised. According to the Federal Trade Commission, anyone can freeze their credit report, even if their identity has not been stolen.  

A credit freeze can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information, if it was stolen or compromised.

How Credit Freezes Work

A credit freeze can benefit you because it restricts access to your credit report. What does this mean? This means you or someone else won’t be able to open a new credit account while the freeze is in place. But, you can temporarily lift the credit freeze if you need to apply for a new line of credit. It’s worth noting that a credit freeze remains in place until you lift it. 

While the credit freeze is in place, you can still:

• Apply for employment
• Buy insurance
• Rent an apartment

Three Protective Options

How do I freeze my credit? In order to put a credit freeze in place, you must contact each of the three major financial reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, and follow the specific instructions from each organization. 

Doing Your Part

Credit freezes are a fast and convenient way to ensure that you know where your credit stands. Comment about credit freezes in the section below. 

Web Links:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts

https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/data-breach-2021

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/20/1150215382/t-mobile-data-37-million-customers-stolen