Protecting your personal information in 2025 matters more than ever. Identity theft, spam calls, data broker exposure, prescreened credit offers, and digital scams continue to rise. Fortunately, consumers are given strong tools to protect both their identity and their privacy. The most effective steps include freezing your credit reports, opting out of data broker lists, stopping prescreened credit offers, and adding your number to the official Do Not Call Registry.
This guide shows you exactly how to do all of it step by step. You will learn what to freeze, block, and opt out of in order to cut down unwanted calls, mailers, and scam attempts.
What a Credit Freeze Is and Why You Should Freeze Your Reports
A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, restricts access to your credit report. Lenders must pull your credit before opening a new credit card, loan, or account. Because a freeze blocks access, it effectively prevents criminals from opening new accounts with your identity.
Why everyone should freeze their credit
- Prevents new accounts from being opened without your approval
- Stops criminals from using stolen personal information
- Does not affect your credit score
- Does not affect existing cards or loans
- Completely free
- Can be lifted instantly at any time
A credit freeze is considered one of the strongest protections against identity theft.
A credit freeze does not affect
- Your current credit cards
- Your debit card
- Existing loans
- Your credit score
- Your banking activity
It only blocks new credit applications.
Reference:
Federal Trade Commission. “Credit Freeze FAQs”
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts
What You Need Before Freezing Your Credit
You will need the following:
- Full legal name
- Social Security number
- Current address
- Previous address if you recently moved
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Phone number
- Valid ID if mailing your request
Freezing online is the fastest method.
How to Freeze Your Credit With All Three Bureaus
You must freeze your credit separately at Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Freezing one does not freeze the others.
How to Freeze Your Experian Credit Report
Online (Fastest)
Visit: https://www.experian.com/freeze
Select: Place a Freeze
Create an account or sign in
Verify identity through security questions
Confirm the freeze
You will receive a confirmation email and a PIN or password for lifting the freeze later.
Phone: 888 397 3742
Mail:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Include your name, address, SSN, copy of ID, and a written freeze request.
How to Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report
Online
Visit: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
Select: Place or Manage a Freeze
Verify identity and confirm
Phone: 800 349 9960
Mail:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
How to Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report
Online
Visit: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Create an account and freeze instantly
Phone: 888 909 8872
Mail:
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
How to Lift or Unfreeze Your Credit
You can unfreeze your credit report at any time.
Your two options
- Temporary lift
Set a time window when lenders can access your report - Permanent unfreeze
Remove the freeze until you decide to add it again
How long it takes
- Online: Instant
- Phone: Instant
- Mail: About 3 business days
You must lift the freeze separately with each bureau.
Should You Freeze Your Credit or Use a Fraud Alert
Credit Freeze
- Strongest protection
- Stops new accounts
- Free and permanent until removed
- You control when it is lifted
Fraud Alert
- Lenders must verify your identity
- Does not block credit pulls
- Lasts 1 year unless extended
A freeze is far stronger and recommended by consumer protection agencies.
Reference:
Federal Trade Commission. “Fraud Alerts”
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts
How to Add Yourself to the National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry helps reduce legal telemarketing calls.
Register online
Visit: https://www.donotcall.gov
Click Register Your Phone
Enter your number and email
Confirm via email link
Register by phone
Call 888 382 1222 from the phone you want to register.
When it takes effect
Telemarketers must stop calling after 31 days.
Important
The registry does not stop:
- Scammers
- Illegal robocalls
- Overseas call centers
It stops legitimate telemarketing only.
Reference:
Federal Trade Commission. “National Do Not Call Registry”
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/do-not-call
How to Stop Pre Approved Credit and Insurance Offers
Prescreened offers are generated when lenders use your credit file to determine eligibility.
Visit the official website: https://www.optoutprescreen.com
Created by all major credit bureaus:
- Experian
- Equifax
- TransUnion
- Innovis
Options
- 5 year electronic opt out
- Permanent opt out (requires mailing a signed form)
Stops:
- Credit card offers
- Loan offers
- Insurance prescreen mailers
This also reduces risks of mail theft.
Reference:
Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies: Opt Out Prescreen
https://www.optoutprescreen.com
How to Opt Out of Major Data Brokers
Data brokers collect and sell your personal information including your address, relatives, phone numbers, and financial data.
Major identity data brokers
LexisNexis
https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/request
Innovis
https://www.innovis.com/personal/opt-out
ChexSystems
https://www.consumerdebit.com
Clarity Services (Experian)
https://www.clarityservices.com/consumer
ID Analytics
https://www.idanalytics.com/consumer
People Search / Data Broker Sites
Remove your information to prevent doxxing, spam, and unwanted exposure.
Whitepages: https://www.whitepages.com/suppression_requests
Spokeo: https://www.spokeo.com/optout
BeenVerified: https://www.beenverified.com/app/optout
PeopleFinder: https://www.peoplefinder.com/optout
Instant Checkmate: https://www.instantcheckmate.com/opt-out
MyLife: https://www.mylife.com/ccpa
Intelius: https://www.intelius.com/opt-out
How to Stop Robocalls, Spam Calls, and Scammers
The Do Not Call Registry only handles legal telemarketers. Illegal robocalls require stronger tools.
Carrier level protection
AT&T Call Protect
Verizon Call Filter
T Mobile Scam Shield
These block spam, fraud, and telemarketers at the network level.
Phone level settings
iPhone
Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers
Android
Google Call Screening on Pixel devices
App based protection
- Hiya
- RoboKiller
- Nomorobo
These block thousands of known scam numbers.
How to Reduce Emails, SMS Spam, and App Data Leaks
- Use filters inside Gmail or Outlook
- Unsubscribe through legitimate unsubscribe links
- Report spam messages
- Avoid clicking links inside SMS messages
- Disable app permissions for contacts, location, and financial access
Why You Should Freeze, Opt Out, and Block Everything Together
Each step protects a different part of your privacy.
- Credit freeze stops new accounts
- Prescreen opt out stops credit mailers
- Do Not Call stops legal telemarketing
- Data broker opt outs remove you from lists that sell your data
- Carrier protections block illegal robocalls
- Device controls block phishing attempts
Together they reduce:
- Identity theft
- Phone spam
- Data leaks
- Phishing
- Junk mail
- Scam attempts
This is the strongest privacy shield available in 2025.
Final Thoughts
Freezing your credit, opting out of data brokers, registering your phone number, stopping prescreened offers, and blocking illegal robocalls gives you full control over your personal information. These steps significantly reduce the exposure of your identity and eliminate most unwanted calls and mail.
Every consumer should:
- Freeze all three credit reports
- Add their number to the Do Not Call Registry
- Opt out of prescreened credit offers
- Remove themselves from data broker sites
- Use carrier and device call blocking
- Secure email accounts and online identity
This creates a powerful personal privacy system that protects you all year.
