More than a million New Yorkers reported identity theft last year, a number state officials say underscores the growing risk of financial fraud and the need for basic safeguards many consumers still overlook.
As part of Financial Literacy Month, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is urging residents to take a simple but often underused step: freeze their credit to block scammers from opening accounts or taking out loans in their name.
According to federal data cited by the state, more than 1.3 million identity theft reports were filed by New Yorkers in 2025, with many cases involving fraudulent loans, credit cards, or other financial accounts created using stolen personal information.
“A credit freeze is a simple, free and effective tool that can help prevent identity thieves from opening accounts or taking out loans in your name,” Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said in a statement, calling the measure a proactive way to protect long-term financial health.
A credit freeze — sometimes called a security freeze — restricts access to a person’s credit report, making it significantly harder for lenders to approve new accounts without the consumer’s authorization. The protection does not affect a credit score and can be temporarily lifted when applying for credit.
State officials emphasized that freezes must be placed separately with each of the three major credit bureaus and encouraged consumers to monitor their credit reports regularly for suspicious activity. Reports can be checked for free on a weekly basis.
Consumers can request a freeze online, by phone, or by mail, though officials say online requests are typically the fastest, often taking just minutes to complete. Temporary “thaws” can also be scheduled in advance, allowing access for a limited period before automatically reinstating the freeze.
Officials say the goal is to shift consumer behavior from reactive to preventive, especially as identity theft continues to rise and scams grow more sophisticated.
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