The fourth credit freeze you missed: A security guide from The Current

December 26, 2025

By Kim Komando

Think of your credit like your home. To be truly secure, you need to lock all the doors, not just the obvious ones. Most people lock three doors but leave a fourth wide open for intruders. To be scam-proof, you must visit all four of these sites.

Crucial warning: Look for the word “Freeze.” Ignore any offers for a “Credit Lock.” That is a paid service the bureaus want to sell you. A Security Freeze is your federal right, and it is 100% free. Don’t let them trick you.

The Big Three

Equifax
This giant handles a massive portion of mortgage and car loan data.

🔗 Equifax Credit Freeze 📞 1-800-685-1111

Experian
Often used by credit card issuers and tech companies.

🔗 Experian Credit Freeze 📞 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion

The third pillar of the standard credit check.

🔗 TransUnion Credit Freeze 📞 1-888-909-8872

The ‘hidden’ fourth link

Innovis
This is the agency most people miss. They are a primary source for preapproved mailers and secondary identity verification. If a scammer finds a lender that pulls from Innovis, your other three freezes won’t stop them.

🔗 Innovis Credit Freeze 📞 1-800-540-2505

‘Quick freeze’ tips

The PIN is king:
When you finish each freeze, you’ll be given a PIN or a specialized password. Do not lose these. Put them in your password manager immediately. You cannot thaw your credit to buy a new phone or car without them, and resetting them is a pain.

The 24-hour rule:
By law, if you request a freeze online, the agency must put it in place within 24 hours. If you ask to lift it (thaw it), they must do so within one hour.

Don’t forget the kids:
Scammers love children’s Social Security numbers because they are clean slates. I tell parents this constantly: Use these same links to freeze your minor children’s credit and protect their future.

Don’t let your credit security be a cold mcase! If this tip helped you lock down your legacy, share the know-how by forwarding this info to a friend or using the icons to post on social media. After all, a four-way freeze is the only way to keep your finances from getting iced out!