A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. If you suspect your personal information or identity was stolen, placing a credit freeze can help protect you from fraud.
What is a credit freeze?
When you place a security freeze, creditors cannot access your credit report. This will keep them from approving any new credit account in your name, whether it is fraudulent or legitimate.
To let lenders and other companies access your credit files again to create new accounts, you will need to lift your credit freeze permanently or temporarily.
Place or lift a credit freeze
Freeze or lift the freeze on your credit report for free by contacting each of the three major credit reporting agencies:
You can submit your request online, by phone, or by mail.
How long do freeze requests take?
Freeze requests:
- Online or by phone: agencies must freeze your credit report within one business day
- By mail: agencies must freeze your credit report within three business days
Unfreeze requests:
- Online or by phone: agencies must lift the freeze within one hour
- By mail: agencies must lift the freeze within three business days
LAST UPDATED: July 2, 2024
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FAQs
Place or lift a credit freeze
How do you lift a security freeze? ›
To remove a credit freeze from your account, contact the credit bureau where you've had your credit frozen. You may do this online, by phone or by mail. Read about how to unfreeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Do I need to put a security freeze on all three credit bureaus? ›
Security freezes must be placed separately at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus.
Is there a downside to freezing your credit? ›
A freeze can give you a false sense of security — you may still be susceptible to credit fraud or other fraud involving your Social Security number. A credit freeze won't affect your current accounts, but if a thief steals the information on an existing account, your credit may be used without your permission.
What is the difference between a credit lock and a credit freeze? ›
The three major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion —sometimes promote their credit lock services. However, there are key differences between the two services. Credit locks can carry a monthly fee, while credit freeze options are free.
How much does it cost to do a credit freeze? ›
A credit freeze is free and prevents lenders from checking your credit in order to open a new account.
How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted? ›
Online or by phone: agencies must lift the freeze within one hour. By mail: agencies must lift the freeze within three business days.
How do I unlock all three credit reports? ›
All three of the major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian — require that you set up accounts to freeze or unfreeze your credit online. You can also unfreeze your credit with each bureau by mail or by speaking with their customer service departments.
Do I have to unfreeze all three credit bureaus to apply for a credit card? ›
If you're looking to apply for a loan or credit card, you will need to unfreeze your credit report. You'll have to unfreeze your credit report individually with each credit bureau. However, if you know which bureau a creditor is using, you can just unfreeze that one.
How do I temporarily lift my Equifax security freeze? ›
At Equifax, you can manage your freeze online with your username and password after creating a myEquifax account. You can also manage your freeze by phone: call us at (888) 298-0045. You'll be required to give certain information to verify your identity.
If you don't have an account, you can create a free Experian account to access a security freeze online. You can also request a security freeze on your credit file by phone at 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) or by mailing a request to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.
Does a credit freeze prevent identity theft? ›
Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen.
Can you use your credit card if you freeze your credit? ›
A common misconception is that a credit freeze means you can't use your current forms of credit, like a credit card. But your credit report isn't accessed when you purchase something with a credit card. So, freezing your credit file doesn't affect your ability to use your existing accounts.
How do I lift a credit freeze? ›
The fastest and easiest way to remove a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is through a secure online account, but you can also thaw your credit by mail or by phone.
Should I preemptively freeze my credit? ›
If you plan on applying for new accounts soon and you're worried that your identity is compromised, a fraud alert might be sufficient. Otherwise, a credit freeze can offer more security, but it comes with the downside of an extra step each time you want to apply for credit.
Is it free to freeze your credit report? ›
Freezing your credit is a way to limit most access to your credit file at each of the three credit bureaus for free. Each bureau offers multiple ways to place a credit freeze (also known as a security freeze), including online and in-app options.
How to freeze a Social Security Number? ›
First, you can contact the Social Security Administration by phone at 800-772-1213 and request to block electronic access to your Social Security information. This process prevents anyone — including you — from changing or accessing your Social Security record.
How do I put a credit freeze on my Experian account? ›
You have the right to request a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, with Experian online, by phone or by mail. If you have an online account with Experian, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit file by simply logging in to your account and toggling the freeze status to frozen or unfrozen.
Does freezing credit prevent identity theft? ›
Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen.