A credit freeze is one of the simplest free steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft.
A credit freeze limits access to your credit report. Because most lenders need to review your credit before opening a new account, freezing your credit can make it much harder for someone to open a credit card, loan, or other new credit account using your identity.
You do not need to be a victim of identity theft to freeze your credit. Anyone can do it.
What Does a Credit Freeze Cost?
Nothing. A credit freeze is free.
Federal law allows you to place and lift a credit freeze for free. A credit freeze also does not affect your credit score.
Once you place a freeze, it remains in effect until you decide to lift it.
You Need to Freeze All Three Credit Reports
There are three nationwide credit bureaus:
Freezing your credit with one company does not automatically freeze it with the other two.
For the strongest protection, place a freeze with all three credit bureaus.
Step 1 — Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report
Go directly to Equifax and use its credit-freeze service.
Follow the instructions to verify your identity and place a security freeze on your Equifax credit report.
Step 2 — Freeze Your Experian Credit Report
Next, go directly to Experian and request a security freeze.
Follow Experian’s instructions to verify your identity and place the freeze.
Step 3 — Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report
Finally, go directly to TransUnion and place a credit freeze.
TransUnion provides its credit-freeze service through its online Service Center.
Once all three are completed, your credit reports should be frozen with each of the nationwide credit bureaus.
What Happens When You Need Credit Later?
A credit freeze does not mean you can never apply for credit again.
If you’re applying for something such as a car loan, mortgage, credit card, apartment, or another service that requires a credit check, you can temporarily lift the freeze.
Ask the company checking your credit which credit bureau it plans to use. You may only need to temporarily lift the freeze at that bureau.
After the credit check is finished, you can place the freeze back on your report.
Placing, temporarily lifting, and restoring a credit freeze is free.
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert
A credit freeze and a fraud alert are not the same thing.
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, which can help prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
A fraud alert tells businesses that they should take additional steps to verify your identity before opening new credit.
With a credit freeze, you generally need to contact all three credit bureaus.
For an initial fraud alert, you can contact one of the three credit bureaus. That bureau is required to notify the other two.
You can also have a credit freeze and fraud alert at the same time.
Parents: You Can Freeze Your Child’s Credit Too
Children can become victims of identity theft even though they normally aren’t applying for loans or credit cards.
If your child is under 16, a parent or guardian can request a free credit freeze on the child’s behalf.
The process is different from freezing an adult’s credit. The credit bureaus may require documents proving your identity, your child’s identity, and your authority to act for the child.
The freeze remains in place until it is removed.
Minors who are 16 or 17 may request and remove a security freeze themselves.
What If Someone Has Already Stolen Your Identity?
A credit freeze can help prevent additional new accounts, but it does not fix identity theft that has already occurred.
If you discover accounts you don’t recognize or believe someone has used your identity, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov.
The FTC can help you create a recovery plan based on what happened.
You should also review your credit reports for accounts or activity you don’t recognize.
Quick Checklist
Before you’re finished:
✓ Freeze your Equifax credit report
✓ Freeze your Experian credit report
✓ Freeze your TransUnion credit report
✓ Keep your account recovery information somewhere safe
✓ Consider freezing your child’s credit if appropriate
✓ Review your credit reports periodically at AnnualCreditReport.com
✓ Visit IdentityTheft.gov if you discover identity theft
Remember
You should never have to pay a company just to place a standard credit freeze.
Be careful when searching online for credit-freeze services. Advertisements and paid credit-monitoring products can appear alongside the free options.
Start from the official credit bureau or FTC websites whenever possible.
Digital Family Shield Tip: A credit freeze is an important protection, but it doesn’t prevent every type of identity theft or privacy exposure. Continue monitoring your accounts, credit reports, email, and publicly exposed personal information.