August’s Quick Win: Freeze Your Credit?

Protecting your financial well-being doesn’t have to be complicated. One of the single best tools you have is a credit freeze.

A credit freeze blocks new lenders from viewing your credit report. Because they won’t approve new accounts without checking your credit first, this stops identity thieves from taking out loans or opening credit cards in your name.

Here is what you need to know:

It’s 100% free.

It doesn’t hurt your credit score.

You are still in control. You can temporarily unfreeze your credit whenever you need to.

When to wait: If you are actively applying for a mortgage, car loan, or apartment rental, hold off for now.

Otherwise, if you don’t need new credit right away, freezing your report is a fast, straightforward way to safeguard your money. Check out our guide to get started.