Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts Offer Protection Against Identity Theft
Credit freezes and fraud alerts are tools available to consumers to protect against identity theft. A credit freeze prevents new credit accounts from being opened in a person's name, while fraud alerts require lenders to verify identity before granting new credit. These measures are free and can be placed by contacting the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Credit freezes remain in place until lifted by the consumer, whereas fraud alerts can be initial, extended, or active duty, each with different durations and conditions. 
