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Lock It Down: Why Freezing Your Credit Is a Smart Move

Keep Scammers Out: The Power of a FREE Credit Freeze. 

Freezing your credit might sound like something only financial experts talk about — but here’s the truth: it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from identity theft. And best of all? It’s 100% free. No hidden fees, no subscriptions, no monthly charges. 

 

 Why Freeze Your Credit? 

If a scammer gets your personal info — like your Social Security number or address — they could try to open credit cards, loans, or other accounts in your name. A credit freeze stops that by blocking lenders and creditors from accessing your credit report. No access = no new fraudulent accounts.  

 

Meet the Big Three: The Credit Bureaus 

To lock things down fully, it’s important to freeze your credit with all three major credit bureaus:

  • Experian
  • Equifax
  • TransUnion 

Each bureau manages its own version of your credit report, so freezing just one is like locking the front door but leaving the back door wide open. Only a full freeze at all three gives you maximum protection. 

 

What a Credit Freeze Does (and Doesn’t) Do 

Here’s what you need to know: 

✅ A credit freeze prevents new lenders from accessing your credit file without your permission — which makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.  

✅ It does not affect your credit score. 

✅ You can still use your existing credit cards and loans normally — a freeze only blocks new credit checks. 

✅ If you want to apply for a loan, new card, or mortgage (like a UMe Auto Loan or HELOC), you can temporarily unfreeze your credit and refreeze it again after your loan is finalized.  

 

When Should You Freeze Your Credit? 

Right now. 

You don’t have to wait until your identity has already been stolen. Anyone can freeze their credit at any time, and there’s no cost to do it. Whether you’ve experienced a data breach, lost a wallet, or just want to be proactive — freezing your credit is a smart safeguard for everyone. 

It’s Free — Because It’s the Law 

A federal law requires that credit freezes and unfreezes be provided for free by all three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This means you should never pay a third party to freeze your credit — those services are unnecessary and may try to charge you for something you can do yourself at no cost. 

Here are direct links to the freeze credit pages on each credit bureaus to make it easy for U: 

 

UMe’s Commitment to Your Safety 

At UMe Credit Union, we’re always looking out for our comm-U-nity.  

Identity theft can happen to anyone, and understanding tools like credit freezes can give you peace of mind for your financial future. If you ever have questions about fraud protection, scams, or how to navigate your credit safely, we’re here to help — online, on the phone, or right in our Burbank branch. 

Your credit. Your control. Your peace of mind.
That’s the power of a freeze — and it’s all yours, for free! 

 Sources:
• Federal Trade Commission – Credit Freeze Basics (credit freezes are free and do not affect your score) Consumer Advice
• Consumer Advice – Credit Freezes Explained (contact three bureaus; free to freeze/unfreeze) Consumer Advice
• Experian – How Credit Freezes Work (freeze does not affect current accounts) Experian 

Disclaimer: U matter to Me (to all of us) at UMe — and that’s why we do our best to deliver helpful information on our blog. Please note the following: (1) UMe Credit Union works hard to make certain that the information we post here is as accurate as humanly possible. But as you know, information can change and evolve quickly. While we try to update the blog on a regular basis, the content of some older posts may not be correct or up-to-date. (2) Some destinations on the World Wide Web that we link you to will exist on external websites. UMe Credit Union does not officially endorse any connected sites, nor do/did we compensate or get compensated by any entities to be featured in our posts (unless otherwise noted). (3) Everyone’s situation is unique and we advise you to consult with our personal bankers or your finance, tax, or legal professional for advice individualized to you!