Common Debit Card Myths — Money Minute

To protect your credit from fraud, you've got two solid options, a credit freeze or a credit lock

They may sound similar, but they differ in important ways. A credit freeze is usually free and offers strong legal protection

while a credit lock may come with a fee but can conveniently be turned on and off through an app

The important thing that they both do is prevent new, unauthorized credit accounts from being opened in your name

and neither choice affects your credit score. If you apply for credit often, a credit lock is handy

If not, go for a credit freeze for better legal safety. Just keep in mind, you'll need to unlock or unfreeze your credit

with each bureau before applying for new credit. And whether you go with a lock or a freeze

now you know you're adding a strong layer of defense against identity theft