Did You Freeze Your Credit? Watch Out for These Pitfalls

After a data breach at credit agency Equifax exposed the personal data of nearly 146 million Americans last year, you may have hurried to freeze your credit reports to help prevent identity theft. A credit or security freeze prohibits new lenders from viewing your credit report. In turn, a thief who attempts to use your Social Security number and other personal information to apply for a credit card or loan is unlikely to succeed (see Freeze Your Credit in 3 Steps).

But a freeze).