Two free tools protect your credit from new fraud — a fraud alert and a security freeze. Both are free under federal law. Use them if your information was exposed, you suspect identity theft, or you just want lenders to verify it’s really you.
Which one?
- Fraud alert — lenders must take extra steps to verify your identity before opening credit. It’s free, lasts 1 year (renewable), and you only have to contact one bureau — it must tell the other two. An extended fraud alert lasts 7 years with an Identity Theft Report.
- Security freeze — locks your credit file so no one (including you) can open new credit until you lift it. Strongest protection; free to place, lift, and remove. You must set it at each of the three bureaus, and temporarily lift it when you apply for credit yourself.
Most people can do both online or by phone in minutes; this letter is for doing it by mail or creating a record.
The letter
[Your full name]
[Your current address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date of birth] [Full SSN] [Prior address, if recent move]
[Date]
[Equifax / Experian / TransUnion - fraud/freeze address]
Re: Request to place a [fraud alert] / [security freeze] on my credit file
To whom it may concern:
Please place a [one-year fraud alert] / [security freeze] on my credit file under
the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
[If fraud alert:] Please also notify the other two nationwide bureaus, as the law
requires, and confirm the alert in writing.
[If freeze:] Please confirm the freeze and provide any PIN or instructions I need
to lift or remove it later.
[If extended alert:] My FTC Identity Theft Report is enclosed; please place a
seven-year extended fraud alert.
Enclosed: proof of identity (copy of government ID) and current address.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your printed name]
How to send it
Online is fastest (each bureau has a freeze/fraud-alert page), but mail (certified, with ID) works and creates a record. For a freeze, store the PIN/credentials safely — you’ll need them to lift it. Remember to temporarily lift a freeze before applying for a loan, card, or apartment.
Notes. A freeze does not affect your existing accounts or your credit score, and checking your own report is still free. Also set up free fraud monitoring where offered. If theft already happened, combine this with the §605B identity-theft block to remove fraudulent accounts already on your file. General information, not legal advice.