Financial influencer and entrepreneur Haley Sacks, widely recognized as “Mrs. Dow Jones,” recently urged Americans to immediately freeze their credit files. Her recommendation comes not from a change in personal finance strategy, but from a heightened awareness of national security risks. Sacks highlighted a critical but often overlooked connection: physical military conflicts are increasingly accompanied by coordinated cyberattacks.
“The U.S. is at war with Iran and what most people miss is that physical war in 2026 is always coupled with cyber war,” Sacks stated.
This warning is supported by data from the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC). Their 2025 report reveals that during major recent conflicts—including the 2024 Hamas-Israel war and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict—Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on the financial services industry surged significantly. As geopolitical tensions rise, the digital infrastructure protecting personal financial data becomes a primary battlefield.
Understanding the Credit Freeze
A credit freeze is one of the most effective tools consumers have to protect their identity. When you place a freeze on your credit file, you lock it so that no one—including yourself—can open new loans or credit cards until the freeze is removed.
It is important to distinguish between a credit freeze and a credit lock :
- Credit Freeze: A free, federal right that completely blocks access to your credit report. It is legally mandated and cannot be bypassed by creditors.
- Credit Lock: A paid subscription service offered by credit bureaus that allows users to toggle access on and off via an app. While convenient, it is not the same as a legal freeze and may come with monthly fees.
Sacks explicitly warned consumers against falling for upsell tactics from credit bureaus. “Don’t fall for this,” she advised, emphasizing that a security freeze is a right under federal law, not a premium product.
How to Freeze Your Credit
The process is straightforward, free, and can be completed online. Because each credit bureau operates independently, you must freeze your credit with all three major agencies to ensure comprehensive protection.
- Visit Each Bureau’s Website: Go to the official sites for TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.
- Create Accounts: Set up a free account with each bureau separately. You will need to verify your identity using personal information such as your Social Security number and address.
- Initiate the Freeze: Locate the option labeled “Security Freeze” (or similar terminology) and confirm the action.
Once frozen, your credit file is inaccessible to potential lenders. If you need to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or new credit card, you can temporarily “thaw” the freeze online or by phone. This process is usually immediate and has zero effect on your credit score.
Why This Matters Now
The surge in cyberattacks during global conflicts underscores a growing trend: financial data is a strategic asset for adversaries. By freezing your credit, you add a layer of security that makes it significantly harder for criminals to open accounts in your name, even if they obtain your personal information through a data breach or cyberattack.
In an era where digital warfare intersects with traditional conflict, taking proactive steps to secure your financial identity is not just good practice—it is a necessary defense mechanism.
