Freezing Your Credit Explained and When You Should Use One

A freeze on your credit is one of the strongest free tools you have to guard against identity theft. You can set one up in about 15 minutes once you know what it does and when to use it.

Federal law has made freezes free to place and lift since September 2018. That change removed the last cost barrier for consumers. Use a freeze when you want strong, predictable protection and still need the flexibility to unlock your credit quickly for new applications.

What a Security Freeze Actually Does

A security freeze locks new-credit access while leaving your existing accounts and scores untouched.

When your file is frozen, most lenders cannot pull your credit report for new account checks. That roadblock stops identity thieves from opening accounts in your name because creditors cannot verify your history.

You must contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately to freeze all your files. Freezing only one or two bureaus leaves gaps that criminals can exploit. Each bureau maintains its own records and responds only to your request with that company.

A freeze does not affect your credit scores. You can still check your own reports at any time. Your existing creditors can still access your file to manage and review your accounts. Government agencies with legal authority and companies you hire for monitoring also retain access.

Timing rules matter. Bureaus must place a freeze requested online or by phone within one business day. They must lift an existing freeze within one hour of an online or phone request. Mail requests can take up to three business days.

When You Should Use a Freeze

Use a security freeze when there is real risk of new accounts in your name.

New account fraud happens when someone opens credit in your name without permission. Choose a freeze when that risk is real. That includes breach notices that mention Social Security number exposure or other key identifiers.

It also includes suspicious hard inquiries you do not recognize or lost documents that contain sensitive information, such as a Social Security card or tax return.

Recent fraud numbers show why this matters. In 2024 the Federal Trade Commission received about 6.5 million consumer reports, including more than 1.1 million identity theft cases. Consumers reported roughly $12.5 billion in fraud losses that year.

A freeze provides long term protection with almost no ongoing effort. You keep daily account access and can pull your own credit whenever you want.

When to act today:

• Breach letter lists Social Security number exposure: freeze your file at all three bureaus now
• Unfamiliar hard inquiry appears: freeze your files and dispute the inquiry with the bureau that reported it
• Rate shopping soon: keep the freeze on and schedule a temporary lift window that covers your applications
• Teen is denied for an account they never opened: place a child freeze immediately at all three bureaus

 

 

Freeze Versus Fraud Alert Versus Lock

Freezes, fraud alerts and locks all help, but they give you different levels of control.

All three tools make new account fraud harder but in different ways. Understanding those differences helps you pick the right control for your situation.

A security freeze is a right under federal law. It is free to place and lift, with legal timing requirements that protect you. Locks are contractual products controlled by each bureau. They may include fees and arbitration clauses without the same legal guarantees. Use a freeze as your default choice for baseline security.

Step by Step: Freeze Your Credit at All Three Bureaus

Freezing your credit at all three bureaus is simple if you prepare first.

You can complete the entire process in about 15 minutes. Gather your details first: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number plus current and past addresses. Have a government ID and a recent utility bill ready as proof of address.

Create or sign in to your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion accounts online. Use strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication to keep access secure.

Place the freeze at each bureau in sequence. Online placement is usually immediate. Save confirmation numbers or emails and store your logins in a password manager. Confirm that each account shows a frozen status inside the bureau portals.

If an online identity quiz fails, switch to the phone option. Be ready to submit documents by mail if the bureau requires extra proof. Parents and guardians can request a protected consumer freeze for children under 16. If no file exists yet, the bureau creates a record solely to hold the freeze.

For a bureau specific walkthrough, you may want a detailed tutorial that shows each screen, explains every required field and points out the confirmations you should see when your files are frozen successfully at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion before you move on to new applications; in that case, review TransUnion’s online resource page credit freeze guide for detailed instructions on their process.

 

 

How to Thaw Quickly When You Need Credit

Plan your thaw so approvals move fast without leaving your credit exposed longer than needed.

You can lift a freeze for free at any time. Online or phone requests must be processed within one hour. Decide between a temporary lift for a specific date range and a full removal. A temporary lift maintains protection before and after your application window.

Ask the lender which bureau it will use so you can lift only at that bureau. This reduces exposure and keeps the process simple. If you are applying with multiple lenders, open a 7 to 14 day window at all three bureaus, then relock.

Set calendar reminders for the start and end of your lift window. Confirm that your freezes are back in place after approvals are posted. Save confirmation emails or letters for your records.

Plan for Loans, Jobs, Housing and Insurance

Match your freeze timing to each loan job, housing insurance or utility credit check.

Different life events require slightly different freeze strategies. Lenders perform hard pulls for loans and new credit cards. Schedule a temporary lift that covers preapproval through final funding.

Some employers and landlords use credit reports for background checks. Confirm which bureau they use and whether a thaw is required for the screening. Insurance providers and utilities also run credit based checks for new services, so plan a lift if they require access.

Business credit is separate, but most small business cards and Small Business Administration backed loans also check your personal file. Schedule a temporary lift window before applying so approvals are not delayed.

What a Freeze Does Not Do

A security freeze blocks new accounts only, so you still need other identity protections.

A freeze is not an all purpose identity shield. It will not stop misuse of existing open accounts or remove fraudulent accounts already on your report. It also does not prevent tax refund identity theft or medical identity theft.

Consider creating an IRS Identity Protection PIN before tax filing season. Turn on account alerts with your health insurer and major providers. Maintain strong account security with multifactor authentication and unique passwords for every important login.

Pull free weekly credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. The bureaus made weekly access permanent in 2023. Scan for new accounts, unfamiliar addresses and unexplained hard inquiries. Dispute errors promptly with both the bureau and the creditor that supplied the information.

If You Find Fraud Act Fast

Fast, organized action limits damage and strengthens your legal rights after identity theft.

Go to IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan and generate an identity theft report. Contact affected lenders fraud departments to close or flag accounts and remove unauthorized charges. File a police report if a creditor or insurer requires one.

With an identity theft report, you can place an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years. Keep a dated paper trail of calls, letters and case numbers so you can prove what you did and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

These quick answers clear up the most common questions about how freezes work.

How long does a freeze last? Until you lift it. It has no expiration date.

What does it cost? Free to place and lift under federal law.

How fast can I lift it? Within one hour online or by phone. Up to three business days by mail.

Does a freeze affect my score? No. Your scores remain unchanged by a freeze.

Do I need all three bureaus? Yes. Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately.

Your Action Plan Starts Now

Use a security freeze as your default setting and thaw only for real credit checks.

Use a freeze as your default shield against new account fraud. It is free, quick to set up and backed by federal law. When you need credit, plan a one hour thaw and lift only the bureau your lender uses whenever possible.

Keep bureau logins secure and review your credit regularly using your free reports. If you find fraud, move to recovery steps the same day using IdentityTheft.gov. With your freezes in place and your accounts monitored, you have real control over who accesses your financial identity.