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TrustedID offers a service called CreditLock™. It’s designed to make placing a security freeze simple and easy. It’s also totally optional.

A security freeze is different from a fraud alert. If you request a security freeze, you won’t be able to get any new credit at all. Neither will a thief. Before you can apply for new credit, you’ll have to unfreeze your files.

With a fraud alert, you’re able to open new credit accounts. This type of alert simply requests that you be called at the phone number you provided to verify it’s really you wanting to open the new account. Under most circumstances, this works quite well.

The freeze is totally secure but can be a pain to do. Depending on the state you live in, you have to pay about $10 at Experian, Equifax and TransUnion to place the freeze. Then you’ll have to pay the same amount again to unfreeze. Trusted ID’s CreditLock takes the hassle out of this by administering it for you via certified mail.  You only have to call one of their Protection Specialists to place the order. Do this at a time that’s convenient for you - they’re available 24/7.

As far as I know, TrustedID is the only identity theft protection company that offers this service.

You’ll need to plan in advance before applying for any new credit accounts because it does take some time to process.

How do you know if using CreditLock is right for you?

If you’ve been a victim of identity theft or concerned that you’re at high risk, then you should use it. Also, if your personal information has been lost in a data breech, you’ll be able to prevent any thieves or hackers from accessing your good name.

When would a plain fraud alert be better?

If you like to use ‘instant credit’, apply for new credit cards often or want to change cell phone carriers, then you’ll do better to have just the fraud alert. Also, if you plan to apply for a mortgage or car loan in the near future, you’ll have to have your credit available. Place the freeze after your loan application has been approved.

Here’s another article about this: Security Freeze vs Fraud Alert.

Looking for a way to totally ice your identity? Trusted ID has the solution to protect you from identity theft with their plan called ‘ID Freeze’.

It includes 14 points of protection to make sure you’ll always be safe.

1. - Fraud Flags.
   Designed to protect your credit at all three major credit bureaus by requesting verification before opening any new credit accounts.
2. - Public Database Scanning.
   TrustedID monitors hundreds of public record databases that have info about you. Things like marriage/divorce records, business applications, any court issues, etc.
3. - Credit Card Scanning.
   Immediate alerts if TrustedID finds your credit card numbers being bought or sold on the internet’s black markets.
4. - Social Security Number Scanning.
   Immediate alerts if your SSN turns up on any of the black market internet sites.
5. - Lost Wallet Protection.
   24/7 on-call specialists will be available to you if your wallet is lost or stolen. Get help to cancel your cards and replace them asap. Store you info with TrustedID and it will always be available to you.
6. - Name and Address Scanning.
   Immediate alerts if your name and address turn up on the internet black market sites.
7. - Bank Account Number Scanning.
   If your bank account numbers are offered for sale or trade you’ll get immediate alerts from Trusted ID.
8. - Medical Benefits Protection.
   Stay protected from one of the newest and most life-threatening form of medical identity theft. Specialists will help you review your medical benefit statements to ensure that the only ones being treated are you or  your family.
9. - Junk Mail Reduction.
   Stops pre-approved credit offers which are a common source of identity theft. Gets your name removed from marketing databases, too.
10. - Spyware Protection.
    Keep hackers out of your computers by using the state-of-the-art anti-spyware software provided free with your TrustedID membership. This technology blocks and removes malicious programs used to track your passwords and compromise your online accounts.
11. - Free Annual Credit Reports.
    Every year you’ll get your credit reports for free from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Review your credit history and be sure that no one but you has accounts in your name.
12. - $1,000,000 Warranty Protection.
    TrustedID backs their service with a million dollar service warranty to cover any out-of-pocket costs associated with identity theft. Includes provisions for lost wages, legal defense fees and expenses, and restoration services.
13. - 24/7 On-Call Protection Specialists.
    You never have to be alone and wonder what to do next. TrustedID will always be there to answer your questions even at 2am on Sunday.
14. - Family Protection.
    Your children’s identities are at risk, too. Protect them and any other family members living in your household for one low-priced family plan.

The first thing you do to protect your identity with Trusted ID’s IDFreeze is to choose which plan you want.

That’s the simple part - either individual or the family plan. The family plan includes identity protection for your spouse, children and any other family members living at your address.

As soon as you’re enrolled, your protection starts. Immediately.

Then in the first 48 hours, you’ll get

• A welcome email from TrustedID
• A link to access your personal Protection Pack information
• Active monitoring of your bank accounts, credit cards and Social Security number

Within the first few weeks, you’ll get

• Confirmation letters from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian to let you know your fraud alerts are in place
• Less junk mail and pre-approved credit offers
• Your annual credit reports from the three major credit bureaus

All year long you’ll get

• Monthly summaries from TrustedID outlining your protection service status
• Instant alerts of any suspicious activity
• 24/7 support from live Protection Specialists
• Notification from creditors before any new accounts are opened in your name

One of the things that may surprise you is the feeling of relief as soon as you get done enrolling with TrustedID. You’ll never have to be alone to figure out what to do if your identity is stolen. No more hours of searching the internet looking for information, just call one of the very nice and knowledgable TrustedID specialist at any time it’s convenient for you to get all the help and answers you need.

A fraud alert is one of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself from some forms of identity theft. They’re free to set up - you just have to remember to renew it every 90 days by contacting one of the credit bureaus.

The way they work is by placing a note in your credit files that ask any new creditors to call you before approving any new lines of credit. You provide the phone number you want to use. This way, a creditor has to verify it’s really you before opening a new credit card, getting a cell phone account, a car loan, etc.

Here’s how it worked for me recently.

I was shopping at Macy’s in my local mall. When the sales lady was ringing up my stuff, she asked me if I wanted to save 10% by using my Macy’s card. Where I live, Macy’s used to be Burdines and I did have a Burdines card. So I told her that I hadn’t used my OLD card in years and didn’t have it with me.

She got on the phone to see if my account was active. At that point, someone tried to take over. Instead of just checking on my old, existing account, they tried to open a new line of credit. Not a big deal since it really was me, but I didn’t want to do that.

My fraud alert stopped them cold as the person on the other end of the phone needed to talk to me for verification. I told him, “No thanks” to the credit offer and paid cash.

A couple of days later, I got a phone call at home from Macy’s to verify that I really didn’t want to open a new account. They were determined I was going to have it! But I just said “No”.

It was nice to know that the fraud alert system works and works well.

TrustedID identity theft protection includes placing fraud alerts for you and keeping them renewed every 90 days. It saves you from having to remember to do it yourself. And if for some reason, your identity still gets stolen, you’ll be backed up by their $1,000,000 warranty.