Quick answer: Freeze your credit report at all three bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, separately. Each freeze is free by law, takes only a few minutes online, and blocks new lenders from pulling your report, which stops most new-account identity theft. A freeze does not affect your existing accounts, your credit score, or your ability to use your current cards. You lift it temporarily when you actually apply for credit.
Freeze vs lock vs fraud alert
| Security freeze | Credit lock | Fraud alert | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free by federal law | Free or paid, varies by bureau | Free |
| Legal protection | Backed by federal law | Governed by a contract with the bureau | Backed by federal law |
| What it does | Blocks new credit pulls | Similar effect, bureau-controlled | Tells lenders to verify identity |
| Speed to lift | Within 1 hour (online or phone); 3 business days by mail | Usually near-instant via app, per the bureau’s own terms | N/A |
| Duration | Until you remove it | Until you unlock | 1 year, or 7 years for identity theft victims |
Freezes and locks do similar things, but a freeze is a statutory right with defined obligations on the bureau, while a lock is a service governed by terms the bureau can change. When both are offered free, the freeze is the stronger choice. A fraud alert is weaker than either; it asks lenders to verify identity but does not block access.
How to freeze at each bureau
You must do all three separately. Freezing only one leaves the other two open, and lenders use different bureaus.
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services, create an account or use the phone line.
- Experian: experian.com/freeze.
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze.
Each asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and identity verification questions. By law a bureau must place a freeze within one business day when you ask online or by phone, and within three business days of receiving a request by mail. In practice all three bureaus apply online freezes within minutes. The one-hour deadline you may have read about applies to lifting a freeze, not placing one.
Keep your login for each bureau’s account. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion now manage freezes through an online account rather than a mailed PIN, and losing access adds delay at exactly the moment you are trying to close on a loan.
Three bureaus most people forget
- Innovis, a fourth consumer reporting agency some lenders use. Free freeze at innovis.com.
- NCTUE, which holds telecom and utility account data. Freezing here blocks fraudulent phone and utility accounts opened in your name, a common and often overlooked attack.
- ChexSystems, used by banks when you open a checking account. Freezing prevents fraudulent bank accounts.
How to lift a freeze when you need credit
- Ask the lender which bureau they will pull. Many will tell you, which lets you lift just that one.
- Log in to that bureau and choose a temporary lift, specifying dates or a duration.
- Lifts must take effect within one hour if you request online or by phone; a mailed request can take three business days.
- Refreeze automatically at the end of the window, or manually if you lifted indefinitely.
Plan a day ahead where possible. Lifting during a mortgage or car purchase at the counter is doable but stressful.
What a freeze does not do
- It does not stop fraud on your existing accounts. Card skimming and account takeover need different defences: alerts, strong passwords and monitoring.
- It does not stop tax-refund fraud or medical identity theft, which do not involve a credit pull.
- It does not remove you from pre-approved offers; opt out separately at optoutprescreen.com.
- It does not affect your credit score in any way.
Freezing a child’s or dependent’s credit
Children are attractive targets because the theft often goes unnoticed for years. Under federal law, parents and guardians can freeze the credit file of a child under 16 for free. Minors aged 16 or 17 must request and remove a freeze themselves. The bureaus will create a file solely for the purpose of freezing it if none exists. You will need the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card and proof of your guardianship. The same applies to an adult for whom you hold power of attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Does freezing hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze restricts access to the report; it does not change anything in it.
Can I still use my credit cards?
Yes. Existing accounts work normally, and your current lenders can still access your file for account review.
How long does a freeze last?
Indefinitely, until you remove it. There is no expiry.
Is it worth freezing if I plan to apply for a mortgage soon?
Yes. Freeze now and lift temporarily when you apply. The protection between now and then is worth the small extra step.
What if I am already a victim?
Report at identitytheft.gov, which generates a recovery plan and an official identity theft report, then freeze all bureaus and place an extended fraud alert.
Last updated September 2026. Bureau procedures and contact details can change; verify on each bureau’s official site. General information, not legal or financial advice.
Sources
The legal rights and deadlines described here come from: USAGov — How to place or lift a security freeze, CFPB — What is a credit freeze?, FTC — Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts and FTC — How to protect your child from identity theft. Bureau freeze pages: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. A credit freeze is a free legal right; a credit lock is a commercial product, and the CFPB notes locks are no more effective than freezes.
Article Was Generated By AI.