To freeze your credit, you must place a separate security freeze with each of the three nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze is free, it blocks lenders from pulling your credit report to open new accounts, and you can lift it anytime online in minutes. Freezing at all three is the single most effective thing you can do to stop someone from opening fraudulent loans or credit cards in your name.
Under federal law, every consumer has the right to freeze and unfreeze their credit at no cost. This guide walks you through exactly how to do it at each bureau, what information you'll need, and what a freeze does and does not protect.
What a Credit Freeze Actually Does
A security freeze (sometimes called a credit freeze) restricts access to your credit report. When your file is frozen, most lenders cannot see your report, and because virtually no one approves a new loan or credit card without checking your credit, a freeze effectively stops new accounts from being opened in your name. It is the strongest free tool available to consumers for preventing new-account identity theft.
A freeze does not do the following: it does not lower your credit score, it does not affect existing accounts you already have, it does not stop you from using your current credit cards, and it does not block fraud on accounts that already exist. It also does not stop a thief who already has your account numbers from making charges on those accounts. For that, you still need to monitor statements and report unauthorized charges.
You can also still get your free credit reports, apply for a job, rent an apartment, or buy insurance while frozen, though in some cases you may need to temporarily lift the freeze so a specific company can pull your file.
The Federal Law Behind Free Freezes
Your right to a free credit freeze comes from the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the federal law that governs credit reporting. In 2018, Congress amended the FCRA so that placing, lifting, or removing a security freeze must be free for everyone in every state. The same law lets parents freeze the credit of children under 16 at no cost. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) share enforcement of these credit-reporting rules. If a bureau ever tries to charge you to freeze or unfreeze, that is a violation you can report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the CFPB.
Some states layer additional protections on top of the federal baseline, such as extra rules for minors or protected consumers. Those specifics vary by state, so check your state Attorney General's website if you want to know what your state adds beyond the federal free-freeze guarantee.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Each bureau will ask you to verify your identity. Have the following ready so you can finish in one sitting:
Full name, current and former addresses, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Answers to identity-verification questions the bureau pulls from your credit history (for example, a past lender or a monthly payment amount).
A PIN or password, which some bureaus issue when you create a freeze. Store it somewhere safe, because you may need it later to lift the freeze.
An email address and phone number to set up an online account, which makes future lifts much faster.
The fastest route is online; phone and mail also work and are useful if you don't have web access or are helping someone who doesn't.
How to Freeze Your Credit at Equifax
Online: Go to Equifax's security freeze page (equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services). Create or log into a myEquifax account and select the option to add a freeze. It usually takes effect right away when done online.
By phone: Call Equifax at 1-888-298-0045. The automated system can place a freeze, or you can ask for a representative.
By mail: Send a written request with proof of identity (a copy of your ID and a utility bill or similar) to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788.
How to Freeze Your Credit at Experian
Online: Go to Experian's freeze center (experian.com/freeze). You can create a freeze without a full account, though setting up a login makes lifting it easier later.
By phone: Call Experian at 1-888-397-3742.
By mail: Write to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013. Include your identifying information and copies of documents that verify your identity and address.
How to Freeze Your Credit at TransUnion
Online: Go to TransUnion's freeze page (transunion.com/credit-freeze). Create or log into a TransUnion Service Center account and add the freeze.
By phone: Call TransUnion at 1-800-916-8800.
By mail: Write to TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094, with your identifying information and proof of identity.
When you finish all three, your file is frozen across the nationwide bureaus that nearly every lender checks. Keep a record of the date and any PINs in a secure place such as a password manager.
How to Temporarily Lift or Permanently Remove a Freeze
A freeze stays in place until you remove it, so you'll need to lift it when you apply for new credit, a mortgage, an apartment, a cell-phone plan, or certain jobs. You have two options:
Temporary lift (thaw): Unfreeze for a set window or for a specific creditor, then it refreezes automatically or you refreeze it yourself. This is the usual choice when you're applying for one thing.
Permanent removal: Take the freeze off entirely. Only do this if you no longer want the protection.
Lifts requested online or by phone are typically processed within one hour under federal rules; requests by mail can take a few days. If you know which bureau a lender uses, you can lift just that one, but many people don't know in advance, so lifting all three for the application period is common. Lifting and refreezing are always free.
Freeze vs. Fraud Alert vs. Lock
These tools are easy to confuse:
Security freeze: Free, backed by the FCRA, blocks new-credit access until you lift it. The strongest standard protection.
Fraud alert: Free, also under the FCRA. It doesn't block access but tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity. An initial alert lasts one year; an extended alert (for confirmed identity-theft victims with an FTC report) lasts longer. Placing an alert at one bureau requires that bureau to notify the other two.
Credit lock: A bureau-branded product that works like a freeze but is governed by the company's terms, not the FCRA, and some versions cost money or come bundled with paid monitoring. A freeze is the safer, law-backed choice for most people.
For maximum protection, many people place a freeze at all three bureaus and add a fraud alert as well.
Don't Forget the Other Bureaus
Beyond the big three, specialty consumer-reporting agencies handle things like check-writing histories and new-account openings. Two worth knowing are ChexSystems (used by banks for deposit accounts) and NCTUE (used by phone and utility companies). If you've been a victim of identity theft, freezing these too can close additional gaps. They are also covered by the FCRA's free-freeze rules.
If You're Already a Victim of Identity Theft
A freeze prevents future damage but doesn't undo fraud that already happened. If accounts have already been opened in your name, file an identity-theft report at IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC's official recovery site. It generates a personalized recovery plan and an FTC Identity Theft Report you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts. Under the FCRA, you also have the right to dispute inaccurate or fraudulent information on your credit reports, and the bureaus must investigate.
When to Talk to a Lawyer
Most freezes are simple and you won't need help. But if a bureau won't honor your freeze, repeatedly reinserts fraudulent accounts after you dispute them, or you're being sued by a debt collector over a debt you don't recognize, it may be worth talking to a consumer-protection attorney. Many handle FCRA and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) cases on contingency or offer free consultations, and the law can require the company to pay your legal fees if you win.
One important warning: if you've been served with a debt-collection lawsuit, strict deadlines apply to filing your written answer with the court, and these deadlines vary by state and can be as short as a few weeks. Missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment against you even if the debt isn't yours. Don't wait. Respond on time and get advice quickly if you're unsure.
This article is general information to help you act, not legal advice for your specific situation. Freezing your credit at all three bureaus today is free, fast, and the best first move to protect yourself.
Know the law
Federal law limits your liability and gives you tools — fraud alerts, freezes, and an official FTC recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
Your state matters too. Federal law is the floor — your state sets the statute of limitations on debt, garnishment and exemption limits, payday and repossession rules, and has its own Attorney General and consumer-protection laws. Always check your state’s rules. This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I freeze my credit with all three bureaus?
You must contact each bureau separately because there is no single button that freezes all three at once. Freeze online or by phone at Equifax (1-888-298-0045), Experian (1-888-397-3742), and TransUnion (1-800-916-8800). Each freeze is free under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and usually takes effect immediately when done online. Save any PINs the bureaus issue.
Does freezing my credit hurt my credit score?
No. A security freeze has no effect on your credit score. It simply restricts who can access your credit report to open new accounts. Your existing accounts, payment history, and score are unchanged, and you can still use your current credit cards normally.
Is it really free to freeze and unfreeze my credit?
Yes. Since 2018, federal law requires that placing, temporarily lifting, and permanently removing a credit freeze be free for everyone in every state, including freezing the credit of children under 16. If a bureau tries to charge you, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the CFPB.
How do I lift a credit freeze to apply for a loan or credit card?
Log into your account at the relevant bureau, or call them, and request a temporary lift. You can unfreeze for a set time period or for one specific creditor. Online and phone requests are typically processed within one hour. If you don't know which bureau the lender uses, you can lift all three for the application window and refreeze afterward, all for free.
What is the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?
A freeze blocks access to your credit report entirely until you lift it, making it the stronger tool. A fraud alert doesn't block access but tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. Both are free. Placing a fraud alert at one bureau requires that bureau to notify the other two, while a freeze must be placed at each bureau separately.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
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