How to freeze your credit
Blocking access to your credit with the three credit bureaus
Key takeaways
Freezing your credit prevents new accounts from being opened by restricting access to your credit report.
To freeze your credit, you need to make a request with all three major bureaus - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Credit freezes are free, don’t affect your credit score, and can be lifted temporarily or permanently when you need to apply for credit.
Freezing your credit can help protect your personal information and prevent fraud, whether your data has been compromised or you’re simply taking proactive steps to keep safe. So how do you freeze your credit with the three major bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion? In this guide, we’ll outline what a credit freeze is and the steps you can take to protect your credit.
What does it mean to freeze your credit?
Freezing your credit, also known as a “security freeze,” means that lenders can’t access your credit report without your permission.
When you apply for a loan or credit card, the lender checks your credit to set terms and interest rates. But with your credit frozen, they can’t see your report. This stops new accounts from being opened in your name, which is particularly important if you’ve experienced a data breach or were a victim of identity theft.
With a credit freeze in place, your credit score remains unaffected, and you can still use your existing credit accounts as usual. The freeze simply blocks the credit reporting agencies from sharing your report, offering an extra layer of protection against identity theft. It can be worth knowing how to freeze your credit and how it can benefit you, especially as it’s a completely free service.
How to put a freeze on your credit with each bureau
When a potential lender checks your credit, they usually pull your report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus in the US: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. While not all lenders check all three, to cover all bases, you’ll need to freeze your credit with each bureau.
You can place a security freeze online, by phone, or by mail. Freezing online or over the phone is the fastest method and is usually completed within one business day. If you choose to mail in your freeze request, it may take up to three business days.
Here are the details on how to freeze your credit with each bureau:
Equifax credit freeze
Online
Register for myEquifax to manage your freeze.
By phone
Call (888) 298-0045
By mail
Download the security freeze form and send to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Experian credit freeze
Online
Register for a free Experian account to manage your freeze.
By phone
Call 1-888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
By mail
Mail your freeze request to:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Transunion credit freeze
Online
Register with the TransUnion Service Center to manage your freeze.
By phone
Call (800) 916-8800
By mail
Send a freeze request to:
TransUnion
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
What information is needed to freeze credit?
Each credit bureau has different protocols when it comes to freezing credit. Often the quickest way to find out what’s needed is to log in to your profile on the credit bureau’s website.
By phone, you’ll typically need to go through the same identity verification processes as you would with a bank. This means providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address.
If freezing your credit by mail, you can find instructions on each agency’s website, and you may have to download and fill out a form. You’ll need to provide copies of documents to prove your identity and mailing address. This might include one or more of the following:
- Driver’s license
- Government-issued ID
- Tax form
- Bank or credit union statement
- Utility bill
- Social Security card
How long does a freeze on credit last?
A credit freeze lasts until you choose to unfreeze it or temporarily lift it. In most states, the freeze will remain in place indefinitely (or until you take action to unfreeze it), so you don’t have to worry about it expiring on its own.
While your security freeze is in place, you can still access your own credit report and scores. Your existing creditors can also check your credit if needed. Keep in mind, your credit score may still change during this time if new information is added to your report.
Even with a freeze in place, it can be worth regularly checking your credit report for any inaccuracies or signs of fraud. The three major credit bureaus offer free weekly access to your report through AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your credit regularly – just like reviewing your bank statements – can help you catch any fraudulent behavior early.
How to unfreeze your credit
Once you know how to put a freeze on your credit, unfreezing it again is fairly straightforward. There are two main options for lifting a credit freeze:
- Temporary thaw: If you’re applying for a loan or credit card and need a credit check just once, you can lift the freeze temporarily. This could be useful if you suspect your personal details have been compromised, or you’ve experienced identity theft. Once the specified time ends, your credit freeze automatically goes back into effect and your personal data is safe.
- Permanent removal of the freeze: If you want to lift the freeze permanently, all your credit files will be accessible again until you decide to freeze your credit once more.
You can use any of the three methods mentioned earlier to unfreeze your credit. The fastest way is through the credit bureau’s online portal, where requests are usually processed in real-time.
If you prefer to unfreeze your credit by mail, you’ll need to send a written request to the bureaus, including copies of documents to verify your identity. This can take up to three business days.
Is it a good idea to freeze your credit?
Credit card fraud is on the rise in the US, with 552,000 cases of identity theft reported in the first half of 2024 alone.¹
A credit freeze is there to prevent criminals from accessing your sensitive credit information or applying for credit in your name. This is especially important given that personal data is increasingly stored in the cloud. Plus, even credit agencies themselves can experience security breaches. If you believe your Social Security number or other information has been exposed, freezing your credit can be a sensible precaution.
While a credit freeze won’t cut out the risk of identity theft entirely, it can provide peace of mind by blocking fraudsters from causing further damage. Knowing how to freeze your credit can also be a proactive measure if you’re not planning to apply for credit any time soon.
Pros and cons of freezing your credit
Pros:
- Freezing credit is free of charge
- Credit freezes won’t impact your credit score. You can continue using your existing credit accounts, making on-time payments, and building your credit history.
- A credit freeze offers the highest level of protection for your personal information. It prevents identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name, saving you the hassle of dealing with potential fraud.
Cons:
- Figuring out how to place a freeze on your credit can take some effort, especially if you need to do it by mail at all three major credit bureaus. And when you need to lift the freeze, you’ll have to go through the whole process again.
- If you’re looking to buy a house or car, you’ll need to plan ahead and make sure the credit freeze is lifted in time for the approval process.
- It can lull some people into a false sense of security. A security freeze doesn’t protect you from fraud on existing accounts, so it still pays to monitor your credit regularly.
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FAQs: How to freeze your credit
How do I freeze my child’s credit?
Although children under 18 don’t typically have credit reports, their clean credit history makes them prime targets for fraudsters.
To freeze a minor child’s credit, you’ll need to contact the credit bureaus and request a security freeze. You may have to set up a credit file for them first. You’ll need to provide personal information, proof of your child’s identity (like a birth certificate), and documentation showing you’re authorized to act on their behalf.
You can check each credit bureau’s website for the forms and steps to complete the process.
Can anyone else access my frozen credit reports?
A credit freeze blocks most people and companies from accessing your credit, but there are a few exceptions:
- You can still view your own credit reports.
- Current creditors and debt collectors can still access your reports.
- Marketers may still use your information to send credit offers.
- Government agencies can access your reports in certain situations.
- Employers may check your credit, but they usually see limited details.
- Non-credit applications (like jobs, apartments, insurance) may still involve credit checks.
Is a credit freeze the same as a credit lock?
A credit freeze and a credit lock both help protect your credit by restricting access, but they’re not the same. A credit freeze is free for everyone under federal law, while a credit lock typically comes with a fee as part of a subscription service from credit bureaus.
A credit lock often includes added benefits. With TransUnion, for instance, you can lock your credit across all three bureaus in one go, while Experian sends you alerts if someone tries to access your report.
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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.
Sources
¹ https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/identity-theft-credit-card-fraud-statistics/
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