This is Part 2 of the post Help Prevent Identity Theft: Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze on Your Credit Reports; Part 1 is available here.

Using credit freezes on your credit reports

A credit freeze (also known as a security freeze) escalates the security for your personal credit accounts and limits how they are allowed to be used. Some of the information on credit freezes from the U.S. government agency the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that:

• There is no fee to place, temporarily lift or permanently remove a security freeze on your credit reports.
• If you request to have a credit freeze placed on your credit report, then no one is allowed to open any type of new credit account in your name—including you.
• Any consumer is allowed freeze their credit reports at no cost, even if their identity has not been stolen.
• If you initiate a freeze on your credit reports, then the credit reporting agency will have you create an account or issue you a personal identification number (PIN) so that you have the ability to freeze, unfreeze and refreeze your credit account as needed.
• You can temporarily lift a credit freeze if you need to get a new credit card or loan or open a financial account.
• A credit freeze remains on your reports until you remove it.
• While the freeze is in place, certain types of tasks are available without temporarily lifting it or removing it completely. Among other activities, you can still apply for a job, rent an apartment or buy insurance.
• The national credit reporting agency Equifax emphasizes on its website that “Security freezes must be placed on your credit reports separately at each nationwide credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).”

Using credit locks on your credit reports

So, there are alerts, freezes and…credit locks. What’s a credit lock and how does it work?

According to Equifax, credit report locks (or just credit locks) “… are mobile app-enabled and allow you to lock and unlock your credit reports using identity verification techniques such as usernames, passwords, and Touch ID or Face ID technology…A credit report lock generally prevents access to your credit reports to open new credit accounts. If you want to apply for credit, you must unlock your credit report to allow a credit check.” Similar to credit freezes, consumers must lock their credit reports separately at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, but unlike freezes, there is usually a charge for this service. At Equifax, credit locks come with its paid Equifax Complete™ Family Plan, Equifax Complete™ Premier, Equifax Credit Monitor™ or Equifax Complete™ product. For TransUnion, “Locking your credit is a feature available to you when you subscribe to a TransUnion product like TransUnion Credit Monitoring or TrueIdentity.” Experian’s CreditLock feature is available as part of its paid CreditWorks^SM Premium service.

How do I place an alert, freeze or lock on my credit reports?

Usually, you will need to create an account with a credit bureau and the account will let you decide the actions to take with your credit report, such as setting up alerts, freezes or locks. As mentioned above, credit locks are often a paid account feature.

• You can place a security freeze or other action on your Equifax credit report online by creating a myEquifax account and you'll be able to verify its status through that account. After setting up an account, you will have options for managing your credit report. To place a freeze by phone, call Equifax’s automated line at 800-349-9960. To create an account by mail, send your request to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374.
• You can set up a credit freeze with Experian by establishing an online account, which provides choices of other actions for your credit report. To set one up by phone call 888-397-3742. A freeze can be requested by mail at Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.
• For TransUnion, visit its website to establish a freeze or other change to your credit report with its TransUnion Service Center, or by phone call 888-909-8872, and by mail at TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016.

Government agencies and independent organizations where you can report scams and get help with identity theft

1. If someone has already scammed you, collect and report the details (dates and times of contact, emails, phone numbers and phone records, website addresses, text messages, names of contacts or companies that were used), to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-FTC-HELP, 1-877-ID-THEFT, or online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC also has a site that can help potential or actual scam victims, Money Matters, to review. It also has a video on Why Report Fraud to learn how your report can help stop scammers.
2. If someone has stolen your identity and is passing themselves off as you, then visit IdentityTheft.gov. That website is the U.S. government’s one-stop resource for assisting identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you step by step through the identity recovery process.
3. Established in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) states that it is the only national non-profit in the U.S. to provide live, direct identity crime advice and victim assistance at no-cost.
4. Fraud and identity theft can also be reported to state and local government authorities; for some states, fraudulent activities are reported to the state’s attorney general’s office.
5. You also can contact your local consumer protection office for assistance.
6. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of government agencies where different types of fraud can be reported.

Contact Delta Community immediately if you’re worried about your accounts

• If you think your Delta Community accounts have been compromised, immediatel contact our Member Care Center via our toll-free number at 800-544-3328 with whatever details you have, including dates, amounts of money, email messages, email addresses, text messages, phone numbers and names.
• Please remember that Delta Community will never call, text or email you to ask for your checking, savings, investment, ATM, debit or credit card account number or password, your telephone access (IVR) PIN, one-time passcode, or other confidential personal information.

Would you like to know more about protecting yourself from fraudsters, hackers, and identity thieves?

More information on protecting yourself and your accounts—along with financial guidance—is available from free Delta Community Financial Education Center webinars on many different money-related topics. You can visit the Financial Education Center's Events & Seminars page to register for its no-cost, on-demand webinars.

Delta Community’s blog and security posts have a lot of advice on handling online personal security:

• Avoid fake check scams.
• Learn check-writing tips.
• How to hang up on imposter scams, part 1.
• How to hang up on imposter scams, part 2.
• Did you know that only scammers get paid with gift cards or cryptocurrency?
• Think for a minute, and then don’t click 'unsubscribe' from spam emails and texts—managing spam.
• Learn how to make your mobile and online payments safer.
• How to protect yourself online while working or learning from home.
• Why to question your security questions.
• ​How to secure your home network.
• You should know how to tell if someone’s stolen your identity and how to prevent it.
• How to get a stronger password and use a password manager.
• Be on the lookout for phishing, smishing and vishing attacks.
• Be vigilant for spoofed phone calls.
• Harden your email account against an attack.

Why you might be able to use more financial BALANCE™ in your life

BALANCE™ is a financial education and counseling organization that offers free services to Delta Community members. Some of its services include credit report reviews, debt management, and information on budgeting, money management and home buying.

Visit the BALANCE™ website to learn about their education and assistance programs. Members can also speak with certified credit and housing counselors to get personalized guidance.

Want to connect with a Financial Coach about your specific situation? Chat online, e-mail, or call 888-456-2227 to speak with a Financial Coach today.

Note that the services offered through BALANCE™ are separate and distinct from any business conducted with Delta Community and are not guaranteed by, nor are they obligations of, the Credit Union.