 TITLE: What You Can Do to Avoid Identity and Credit Fraud CONTENT: What Is the Difference Between a Fraud Alert and a Security Freeze?\n-------------------------------------------------------------------\nThere's more detailed information about fraud alerts, security freezes and the differences between them here, but the basic rundowns of the two credit protection measures are as follows:\n*   **Fraud alerts** expire after a period of one year or seven years, depending on the type of alert, but may be renewed indefinitely. A fraud alert allows you to apply for credit in the usual way, but may delay the approval process somewhat until your identity can be confirmed by the lender. It is often more convenient for users who plan to seek new loans or credit in the near future.\n*   **Credit freezes**, while preventing unauthorized access to your credit information, also block legitimate credit checks. That means you must thaw your credit before applying for new loans or credit cards. This option may be more convenient for users such as retirees who foresee little need for new loans or credit accounts. A credit freeze remains in place indefinitely until you remove it. END