How to Freeze Your Credit: Step-by-Step at All Three Bureaus
A credit freeze is free, permanent until you remove it, and the best defense against identity theft. Here's how to freeze your credit at Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax in under 10 minutes.
How to Freeze Your Credit: Step-by-Step at All Three Bureaus
A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) prevents new creditors from accessing your credit report. With a freeze in place, a thief who has your Social Security number cannot open new credit cards, take out loans, or open accounts in your name because lenders cannot pull your credit to approve the application.
Credit freezes are free, effective immediately, and permanent until you remove them. Federal law — the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 — requires all three major credit bureaus to provide free freezes to all consumers.
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How to Freeze Your Credit at Each Bureau
You must freeze your credit at all three bureaus separately. Freezing at one does not freeze the others. Most lenders check one or two bureaus, but to be fully protected, freeze all three.
Experian Credit Freeze
Online: experian.com/freeze/center.html
By phone: 888-397-3742
By mail: Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
What you'll need:
- Full name
- Address (and any addresses in the past two years)
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Copy of government ID (if applying by mail)
- Proof of address (if applying by mail)
How long it takes: Immediate online or by phone. Up to 3 business days by mail. Experian must implement the freeze within 1 business day of receiving your request (by law).
TransUnion Credit Freeze
Online: transunion.com/credit-freeze
By phone: 888-909-8872
By mail: TransUnion LLC, PO Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094
What you'll need: Same as above — name, address, DOB, SSN, and ID if mailing.
How long it takes: Immediate online or by phone.
Equifax Credit Freeze
Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze
By phone: 888-298-0045
By mail: Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
What you'll need: Same as the other bureaus.
How long it takes: Immediate online or by phone.
What Happens When You Apply for Credit With a Freeze
When you apply for a new credit card or loan, the lender will tell you they couldn't access your credit report. You'll need to temporarily lift the freeze — called a "thaw" — before the lender can run their check.
You can lift a freeze temporarily (for a specific date range or a specific creditor) or permanently. Temporary lifts are the safer option because the freeze automatically reactivates.
A temporary lift online or by phone takes effect within an hour. Permanent removal takes up to 3 business days (by law, within 1 business day for online/phone requests).
Does a Credit Freeze Hurt Your Credit Score?
No. A credit freeze has zero impact on your FICO score. Your score still updates normally. Existing creditors can still access your report. Soft inquiries (like your own credit checks) are unaffected.
A freeze only prevents new hard inquiries from lenders you don't already have a relationship with.
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert: What's the Difference?
Both are free protections, but they work differently.
| Feature | Credit Freeze | Fraud Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | Blocks all new credit pulls | Alerts lenders to verify your identity |
| Duration | Permanent (until you remove it) | 1 year (7 years for identity theft victims) |
| Applies to | Only the bureau you file with | You only need to file with one bureau (they notify the others) |
| Lenders can ignore it? | No — they cannot pull your credit | Yes — lenders are notified but not required to stop |
| Who sets it | You file separately with each bureau | File with one bureau |
| Score impact | None | None |
A fraud alert is easier to manage but weaker protection. A freeze is the gold standard.
Should You Freeze Your Children's Credit?
Yes, if your children are minors. Child identity theft is a significant problem because children don't check their credit reports and the fraud can go undetected for years. When your child turns 18 and applies for their first credit card, they may discover an already-damaged credit history.
All three bureaus allow you to freeze your child's credit report. You'll need to provide proof of your identity, proof of the child's identity, and documentation of your relationship (birth certificate or legal guardianship papers).
What a Credit Freeze Does Not Protect Against
A credit freeze only prevents new credit from being opened in your name. It does not protect against:
- Fraud on existing accounts (existing credit cards, bank accounts)
- Medical identity theft (using your insurance information)
- Tax identity theft (filing fraudulent tax returns)
- Employment identity theft
Monitor your existing accounts separately and consider checking your credit reports periodically even with a freeze in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a credit freeze free?
Yes. Federal law has required free credit freezes from all consumer reporting agencies since September 21, 2018, under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.
Do I need to freeze my credit at all three bureaus?
Yes. A freeze at one bureau does not affect the others. Most lenders pull from one or two bureaus, so if you only freeze Experian, a lender pulling from TransUnion can still access your report.
Can I still use my existing credit cards with a freeze?
Yes. A freeze only prevents new creditors from pulling your report. Your existing credit card companies, banks, and lenders still have access to your report and can continue to report your payment history.
How do I temporarily lift a freeze when I want to apply for credit?
Log into each bureau's website or call their customer service. You can specify a date range (like the next three days) or a specific creditor. The lift takes effect within one hour for online and phone requests.
Does a credit freeze affect employment background checks?
Potentially. Some employers run credit checks as part of background screening for certain positions. You would need to temporarily lift the freeze before the employer submits the request. The employer must notify you and get your written consent before running a credit check anyway.
What's a credit lock vs. a credit freeze?
Credit bureaus offer "credit lock" products (sometimes as part of paid subscriptions) that function similarly to freezes but can be toggled more quickly through an app. A credit freeze is a legal protection under the FCRA; a credit lock is a private product. Both block access, but a freeze provides stronger legal protections. The bureaus' own free freeze option is typically sufficient.
Sources
CreditFicoScores Editorial
Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches and fact-checks every article using official sources: FICO, the CFPB, the FTC, the Federal Reserve, and the three major credit bureaus. We never publish unverified data.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making credit or financial decisions. See our financial disclaimer for details.