Identity Protection — Credit Glossary Hub

Identity theft is the fastest-growing category of credit-report damage. The terms below cover the protections every consumer has under FCRA §605B, the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit process, and the freeze-and-alert tools all three bureaus must offer at no cost.

This hub gathers every term in the Credit1Solutions glossary that falls under the Identity category. 14 terms appear below in alphabetical order, each with a plain-English definition you can cite when reviewing a credit report, drafting a dispute letter, or comparing what a lender, bureau, or attorney is telling you about your file.

The vocabulary here is the same vocabulary our attorney network uses when investigating FCRA accuracy claims, FDCPA collection-conduct claims, and ECOA discrimination claims. We refresh definitions as case law evolves — most recently for the 2022 CFPB medical-debt rule, the post-Spokeo standing requirements for FCRA litigation, and the 2023 NIST guidance on synthetic-identity fraud.

If a term you are looking for is not in this hub, check one of the eight sibling hubs below or the master glossary index. Every term in the Credit1Solutions glossary is reachable from one of the nine category hubs.

Identity terms (14)

• Active Duty Alert. A type of fraud alert available to active military personnel that lasts for one year. It requires creditors to verify identity before opening new accounts.
• Affidavit of Identity Theft. A sworn statement used to report identity theft to creditors and law enforcement. The FTC Identity Theft Affidavit is the standard form used for this purpose.
• Confidential Information. Personal and financial data protected by privacy laws. Includes Social Security numbers, account numbers, and credit information.
• Credit Card Fraud. Unauthorized use of a credit card or card information to make purchases or withdraw cash. Federal law limits your liability to $50 for unauthorized charges.
• Credit Freeze. A security measure that restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. Also called a security freeze.
• Credit Lock. A feature offered by credit bureaus that allows you to lock and unlock your credit report instantly via app. Similar to a freeze but not governed by federal law.
• Extended Fraud Alert. A fraud alert that lasts seven years, available to identity theft victims with an FTC Identity Theft Report. Requires creditors to verify identity before opening accounts.
• Fraud Alert. A notice placed on your credit report that warns creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Fraud alerts can be initial (90 days) or extended (7 years for identity theft victims).
• Fraudulent Account. A credit account opened using stolen identity information. Victims have the right to dispute and remove fraudulent accounts from their credit reports.
• Identity Theft. When someone uses your personal information without permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Credit-related identity theft can include opening accounts in your name or stealing from existing accounts.
• Identity Theft Protection. Services that help monitor for and respond to identity theft. Features may include credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, fraud alerts, and recovery assistance.
• Opt-Out. The right to stop receiving prescreened credit and insurance offers. Can be done for five years online or permanently by mail at OptOutPrescreen.com.
• Personal Identification Number (PIN). A numeric password used to access accounts or authorize transactions. Required for debit card ATM withdrawals and some credit card transactions.
• Security Freeze. See Credit Freeze. A security measure that restricts access to your credit report to prevent fraudulent account openings.

Other glossary categories

• Credit Basics — Basics
• Credit Reports — Reports
• Credit Scores — Scores
• Debt and Repayment — Debt
• Legal and Consumer Rights — Legal
• Loans and Mortgages — Loans
• Credit Cards — Cards
• Collections and Recovery — Collections
• Master glossary index (all categories)

Cross-references

• Credit help center — how-to guides organized by topic
• FCRA / FDCPA violation types we monitor and dispute
• Furnisher directory — companies that report data to the bureaus
• Free credit tools (simulator, calculators, dispute letter builder)

Reviewed by Hemminger Law Firm, Consumer Rights Attorneys | Last reviewed: January 1, 2026