Identity theft protection
Most identity-theft losses happen because the victim's credit file, SSN, and email recovery were never locked. The steps below take about fifteen minutes and cost nothing.
Freeze your credit file at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, lock your SSN through E-Verify Self Lock, turn on two-factor authentication on email and bank accounts, set fraud alerts, and enable transaction alerts on every card. If you are already a victim, file at IdentityTheft.gov the same day.
Step-by-step check
- 1
Freeze your credit at all three bureaus
A credit freeze is free, takes minutes, and blocks new accounts from being opened in your name. Do Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — not just one.
- 2
Lock your Social Security Number
Use E-Verify Self Lock at e-verify.gov to block fraudulent employment, and create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov before a scammer does.
- 3
Turn on two-factor authentication on email first
Whoever controls your email controls password resets for every other account. Use an authenticator app, not SMS, and save backup codes offline.
- 4
Set fraud alerts and bank transaction alerts
Add a one-year fraud alert at any one bureau (it propagates to the other two) and enable instant text or push alerts on every debit and credit card.
- 5
Lock your phone carrier account against SIM swap
Add a port-out PIN or 'Number Lock' with T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, or your carrier. SIM-swap attacks bypass SMS-based 2FA.
- 6
Check your credit reports for accounts you do not recognize
Pull all three free at annualcreditreport.com. Dispute anything unfamiliar in writing within 30 days.
- 7
Monitor for impersonation across social platforms
Scammers clone your name and photo to defraud your contacts. Run a free scan on each major platform and set alerts for new accounts using your face.
Red flags
- A bill, debt collector call, or IRS notice for an account you never opened.
- Missing mail — scammers redirect statements to hide new accounts.
- Your phone suddenly says 'No Service' for hours (possible SIM swap in progress).
- Login or password-reset alerts you did not initiate.
- Tax return rejected because someone already filed using your SSN.
What to do next
- ✓Save the confirmation PINs from each bureau freeze in a password manager.
- ✓Schedule a 6-month reminder to re-pull your credit reports.
- ✓If you have minor children, freeze their credit too — child SSN fraud often hides for years.
FAQ
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze blocks new inquiries from creating accounts in your name but does not affect your existing score or accounts.
Do I need to pay for identity-theft protection services?
No. Every essential step — freezes, fraud alerts, SSN lock, IdentityTheft.gov recovery — is free. Paid services mostly resell monitoring you can do yourself.
How long does a credit freeze last?
Indefinitely, until you lift it. You can thaw it temporarily online in minutes when applying for credit.
What if my SSN is already on the dark web?
Assume it is — most are. Focus on freezes, SSN lock, MFA, and account alerts. These block the actual fraud, not the data leak.
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