How to Freeze Your Credit: A Complete Guide to Credit Freezes

A credit freeze is one of the most powerful free tools available to protect yourself from identity theft—and you don't need to be a fraud victim to use it. When you freeze your credit at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), you prevent criminals from opening new credit accounts in your name, even if they've stolen your Social Security number. Since 2018, federal law has mandated that credit freezes be completely free to place, lift, and remove. This guide walks you through exactly how to freeze your credit at each bureau, when to temporarily lift the freeze, and how freezes compare to fraud alerts and credit locks. If you're not actively applying for new credit, freezing your reports is one of the smartest preventive steps you can take to secure your financial identity.

What Is a Credit Freeze and How Does It Work?

A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, restricts access to your credit report from potential creditors. When your credit is frozen, lenders and credit card companies cannot pull your credit report to approve new applications—which means fraudsters can't open accounts using your stolen information.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "When a credit freeze is in place, nobody can open a new credit account in your name, including you." This is the freeze's greatest strength: it creates an impenetrable barrier against new account fraud.

Here's what happens when you place a credit freeze:

1. You request a freeze at each of the three credit bureaus
2. The bureau restricts access to your credit report
3. Lenders cannot view your report for credit decisions
4. No new accounts can be opened in your name without your authorization

When you need to apply for new credit, you simply lift the freeze temporarily—a process that takes as little as a few minutes online.

When Should You Freeze Your Credit?

You don't have to wait until you're a victim of identity theft. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends freezing your credit proactively to prevent fraud before it happens.

Proactive Reasons to Freeze

• You're not actively shopping for credit – If you're not planning to apply for credit cards, loans, or a mortgage in the near future, there's no downside to keeping your credit frozen
• You want maximum protection – A freeze is the strongest preventive measure against new account fraud
• You've been in a data breach – Your personal information may be circulating on the dark web

Reactive Situations Requiring Immediate Freeze

• You notice unfamiliar accounts or inquiries on your credit report
• You receive bills or collection notices for accounts you didn't open
• Your wallet, ID, or Social Security card was lost or stolen
• You receive notification that your data was compromised in a breach
• You've already been a victim of identity theft

How to Freeze Your Credit at All Three Bureaus

You must freeze your credit separately at each of the three major credit bureaus. A freeze at one bureau does NOT automatically freeze your reports at the others. Here's exactly how to do it at each one.

Equifax

Online (Fastest):

1. Visit Equifax Credit Freeze Center
2. Create or sign in to your myEquifax account
3. Navigate to the freeze section and submit your request

By Phone: Call 888-298-0045

By Mail: Send request to: Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

Experian

Online (Fastest):

1. Visit Experian Credit Freeze
2. Sign in to your free Experian account or create one
3. Place the freeze through your account dashboard

By Phone: Call 888-397-3742

By Mail: Send request to: Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

Online (Fastest):

1. Visit TransUnion's credit freeze page
2. Create or sign in to your account
3. Request the freeze through your dashboard

By Phone: Call 800-909-8872

By Mail: Send request to: TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094

Information Required for All Bureaus

When freezing your credit, you'll need to provide:

• Full legal name
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Current and previous addresses (past 2 years)
• Copy of government-issued ID (for mail requests)
• Utility bill or bank statement (for mail requests)

Federal Timing Requirements

According to the CFPB, credit bureaus must place your freeze:

• Online or phone requests: Within 1 business day (usually instant)
• Mail requests: Within 3 business days of receiving your request
• Written confirmation: Sent within 5 business days

How to Unfreeze (Lift) Your Credit

When you need to apply for new credit, you'll need to temporarily lift your freeze. This process is straightforward and can be done through the same channels you used to place the freeze.

Temporary Lift vs. Permanent Removal

How Long Does Unfreezing Take?

• Online or phone: Within 1 hour (often instant)
• By mail: Within 3 business days

When You'll Need to Lift Your Freeze

You should temporarily unfreeze your credit before:

• Applying for a new credit card
• Getting a mortgage or auto loan
• Renting an apartment (if landlord checks credit)
• Opening new utility accounts
• Using "buy now, pay later" services
• Some cell phone contract applications

Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert: What's the Difference?

Both credit freezes and fraud alerts help protect against identity theft, but they work very differently.

When to Use a Fraud Alert Instead

A fraud alert may be more appropriate if:

• You're actively shopping for credit and don't want to constantly lift freezes
• You suspect (but aren't certain) your information was compromised
• You want a less intrusive option that still provides protection

For fraud alerts, you only need to contact one bureau, and they're legally required to notify the other two. This makes fraud alerts more convenient but less protective than freezes.

For most people who aren't actively applying for credit, a freeze provides superior protection. Understanding your credit score basics can help you determine when you actually need to unfreeze for legitimate credit applications.

Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock: Understanding the Difference

Credit bureaus offer "credit locks" as an alternative to freezes. While they function similarly, there are important legal and practical differences.

Which Should You Choose?

According to NerdWallet, "NerdWallet recommends freezes for most consumers because the risk of exposure is high" and they're free with strong legal protections.

The main advantages of locks are convenience features like mobile app access and real-time alerts. However, these come at a monthly cost and with weaker legal protections. If you're already using a credit monitoring service, you may already have alerts without needing a paid lock.

Our recommendation: Use the free credit freeze for protection, and pair it with free credit monitoring for alerts.

Does a Credit Freeze Affect Your Credit Score?

No. A credit freeze has absolutely no impact on your credit score. This is confirmed by every authoritative source:

• FTC: "There's no cost to place or lift a credit freeze, and it doesn't affect your credit score."
• CFPB: "Security freezes do not impact your credit scores in any way whatsoever."
• Experian: "A credit freeze has no impact on your credit score or on your ability to qualify for loans or credit cards."

What Continues Normally with a Freeze

• Your credit score continues to update based on your payment history
• Creditors still report your activity to the bureaus
• You can still check your own credit scores and reports
• Existing credit accounts work normally
• Payment obligations remain unchanged

The only thing that changes is who can ACCESS your report—not what's IN it.

Who Can Still Access Your Frozen Credit?

A credit freeze isn't absolute. Certain parties can still access your credit report even with a freeze in place:

Always Have Access:

• You (for your own credit reports and scores)
• Your current creditors (for account management)
• Collection agencies working on existing debts

Exempt by Law:

• Government agencies for child support, court orders, or certain investigations
• Companies you've authorized to monitor your credit
• Employers (with your permission) for background checks
• Insurance companies for underwriting decisions

Not Blocked:

• Pre-screened credit offers (must opt out separately at OptOutPrescreen.com)

Special Situations: Minors, Military, and Others

Freezing a Child's Credit

Children are prime targets for identity theft because fraud can go undetected for years. The FTC states: "If your child is under 16, request a free credit freeze to make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your child's name."

To freeze a minor's credit, you'll need to submit requests by mail with:

• Proof of your identity (government ID)
• Proof of the child's identity (birth certificate)
• Proof of your authority to act (birth certificate showing parentage)

Each bureau has specific forms for minor freeze requests.

Active Duty Military

Service members have additional protections:

• Active Duty Alert: Lasts 1 year, renewable for deployment length
• Automatic opt-out: Removes you from pre-screened offers for 2 years
• Free electronic monitoring: Available through the bureaus
• One-bureau contact: Like fraud alerts, contacting one bureau notifies all three

Incapacitated Adults

Authorized representatives can place freezes on behalf of incapacitated adults with proper documentation including power of attorney or guardianship papers.

Limitations: What Credit Freezes Don't Protect Against

A credit freeze is powerful, but it's not a complete solution. The FTC warns: "Don't let a freeze lull you into a false sense of security."

What a Freeze DOES NOT Prevent

• Existing account fraud: Thieves can still use compromised credit card numbers
• Account takeover: Someone accessing your existing bank accounts
• Tax refund fraud: Filing fake returns using your Social Security number
• Medical identity theft: Using your information for healthcare services
• Employment fraud: Using your identity for job applications
• Government benefits fraud: Claiming benefits in your name

Complete Protection Requires Multiple Steps

For comprehensive identity protection:

1. Freeze your credit at all three bureaus
2. Monitor your credit reports regularly for errors and fraud
3. Set up account alerts on your existing credit cards and bank accounts
4. Use strong, unique passwords for financial accounts
5. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
6. Monitor your medical and government benefits statements

Step-by-Step Action Plan

Here's your complete roadmap to freezing your credit:

Day 1: Place Your Freezes

1. Go to Equifax's freeze center and submit your request
2. Go to Experian's freeze center and submit your request
3. Go to TransUnion's freeze center and submit your request
4. Save any PINs or confirmation numbers securely

Ongoing: Maintain Protection

• Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (free weekly)
• Set up free credit monitoring through your bank or credit card
• Opt out of pre-screened offers at OptOutPrescreen.com

When Applying for Credit:

1. Ask the lender which bureau they'll check
2. Lift your freeze at that bureau (all three for mortgage applications)
3. Apply for credit
4. Refreeze immediately after approval or denial

Conclusion

Freezing your credit is one of the most effective steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft—and it costs nothing. Since the federal mandate in 2018, everyone can freeze and unfreeze their credit for free at all three bureaus, with no impact on their credit score.

Key takeaways:

• Credit freezes are free, fast, and have zero impact on your credit score
• You must freeze at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) for full protection
• Freezes can be lifted within minutes when you need to apply for credit
• Freezes are stronger than fraud alerts for people not actively seeking credit
• Freezes don't protect existing accounts—you still need to monitor your credit

If you're not currently shopping for a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card, there's almost no reason NOT to freeze your credit today. The minor inconvenience of lifting the freeze when needed is far outweighed by the protection against identity thieves opening fraudulent accounts in your name.

Take action now: Visit each bureau's website, place your freezes, and secure your financial identity. Future you will be grateful you did.