Do I Need to Freeze My Credit With All Three Bureaus?

Q: Melissa asks: Is it sufficient to freeze my credit at just one of the three bureaus? I managed to freeze it at Experian, and it was simpler than expected. Should I also freeze it with the other two?

A: Melissa, that’s a solid step! However, freezing your credit at only Experian won’t fully shield you from identity theft.

As Lisa Gill from Consumer Reports points out, you should also freeze your credit at TransUnion and Equifax. “Credit card companies and other financial institutions may check your credit with one, two, or all three bureaus,” says Gill. “Thus, freezing your credit with just one bureau doesn’t impact the others. They operate independently and don’t share information.”

Freezing your credit across all three bureaus is among the most effective strategies to guard against fraud. “This action discourages fraudsters and credit companies from swiftly accessing your credit information to market products to you,” Gill adds. If you're unsure how to proceed with freezing your credit, see our guide here.