A credit freeze — also called a security freeze — prevents lenders and creditors from accessing your credit report to approve new credit applications. If a thief has your Social Security number and tries to open a new credit card or loan in your name, the application will be denied because the lender cannot pull your credit. A freeze does not affect your existing accounts, your credit score, or your ability to use your current cards and loans. It only blocks new account openings.
How to Place a Credit Freeze
You must freeze your credit at each of the three major credit bureaus separately. There is no central freeze service. Since 2018, credit freezes are free at all three bureaus under federal law.
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services — Create an account or call 1-888-298-0045
- Experian: experian.com/freeze/center.html — Create an account or call 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze — Create an account or call 1-888-909-8872
Online is fastest — each freeze typically takes 5–10 minutes. You will create a PIN or password for each bureau, which you use to temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze later. Save these credentials somewhere secure.
Also consider freezing your credit at two smaller reporting agencies that some lenders check:
- ChexSystems (used by banks for checking account applications): chexsystems.com
- Innovis: innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze
Does a Credit Freeze Hurt Your Credit Score?
No. A credit freeze has zero effect on your credit score. It does not affect your existing accounts, payment history, credit utilization, or any other scoring factor. Your score continues to change (up or down) based on your existing account activity exactly as it would without the freeze.
When to Lift a Freeze (Temporarily or Permanently)
If you are applying for a new credit card, loan, apartment, or job that requires a credit check, you need to temporarily lift the freeze at the bureau the lender uses. Ask the lender which bureau they pull from before lifting — you only need to lift it at that specific bureau, not all three.
You can lift a freeze for a specific time period (e.g., one week while you shop for a mortgage) or for a single creditor. Go back to the same portal where you placed the freeze, log in, and select “temporarily lift” or “remove freeze.” Most lifts take effect within one hour online.
After the loan or card application is complete, re-freeze at that bureau. Permanent removal leaves your file open to any lender indefinitely.
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert: What’s the Difference?
- Credit freeze: Completely blocks new credit from being opened. Lenders cannot pull your report. You must actively lift it to apply for new credit.
- Fraud alert: Requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening an account — but does not block access to your report. A one-year fraud alert can be placed for free at any one bureau and automatically extends to the other two. A 7-year extended fraud alert is available to identity theft victims.
A freeze is more protective than a fraud alert if you want maximum identity theft prevention. A fraud alert is more convenient if you are actively applying for credit and don’t want to manage freeze lifts.
Should You Freeze Your Children’s Credit?
Yes, if they are under 16. Children do not use credit, so their Social Security numbers can be stolen and used to open accounts undetected for years. The three bureaus offer child credit freezes free of charge. You need to provide proof of guardianship and the child’s Social Security number. It is worth doing even if you have no reason to suspect your child’s identity has been compromised.
When Is a Credit Freeze Most Useful?
- Your Social Security number was exposed in a data breach
- You received notice that someone filed taxes using your SSN
- You received credit accounts or collection notices for accounts you didn’t open
- You are not planning to apply for new credit for the next 6–12 months and want maximum protection
- You want to protect an elderly parent or child who is not actively using credit
Bottom Line
A credit freeze is free, does not affect your score, and is the most effective tool available to prevent new account identity theft. If you are not actively applying for credit, there is no reason not to freeze your file at all three bureaus. Keep your PIN/password secure, and lift the freeze temporarily when you need to apply for something new.