How to Freeze Your Credit for Free (All 3 Bureaus)

By Plain Money Guide · Researched from official sources · Checked 2026-07-14 · Editorial standards

📚 This article is part of our Privacy, Spam & Identity Protection series. See the full overview: Privacy, Spam & Identity Protection: Complete Guide.

A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) is one of the most effective free tools you have to stop identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. When your credit is frozen, lenders can't pull your credit report to approve a new loan or credit card — so a scammer with your Social Security number usually can't get approved either. It's free to place, free to lift, and it does not hurt your credit score.

Here's exactly how to freeze your credit with all three major bureaus, plus how to temporarily lift it when you actually need credit.

Table of Contents

• What a credit freeze does (and doesn't do)
• Freeze all three bureaus, one at a time
• How to temporarily lift (thaw) a freeze
• Should you freeze your kids' credit too?
• Freeze vs. fraud alert vs. credit lock
• After you freeze: two quick habits
• FAQ
• Where the call actually splits

What a credit freeze does (and doesn't do)

Federal law makes credit freezes free at all three nationwide credit bureaus, thanks to a 2018 change. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) both explain your rights here.

• It blocks new credit checks. Most new lenders can't see your frozen report, so they typically won't approve new accounts.
• It's free to freeze and unfreeze — always, for you and your children.
• It doesn't lower your credit score. A freeze has no effect on your score.
• It doesn't stop existing lenders from managing accounts you already have, and it doesn't block your own access to your report.
• It's not the same as a lock or credit monitoring. Paid "credit lock" products may charge fees and aren't backed by the same federal protections a freeze is.

Because a scammer could open an account before you notice anything is wrong, a freeze is more protective than a fraud alert, which only asks lenders to verify your identity.

Freeze all three bureaus, one at a time

A freeze at one bureau does not carry over to the others, so you have to contact all three: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can do it online in a few minutes each, by phone, or by mail.

Before you start, gather:

• Your Social Security number
• Date of birth and current/previous addresses
• A government-issued ID
• An email address (for online accounts and PINs)

The three bureaus and where to freeze

Each bureau name below links to its own freeze page; the phone line is the one to use if you'd rather not create an online account.

Bureau (link goes to its freeze page)	Freeze-by-phone line
Equifax	1-800-349-9960
Experian	1-888-397-3742
TransUnion	1-800-916-8800

You can also reach all three starting from the FTC's consolidated guide at IdentityTheft.gov. Always type these addresses yourself or use the government link — don't click a bureau "freeze" link from an email, which could be a phishing scam.

Step by step

1. Go to each bureau's freeze page (see the table) and create an account or verify your identity. You'll answer security questions based on your credit history.
2. Request the security freeze. Online requests generally take effect quickly; by law the bureau must place a freeze within one business day of an online or phone request.
3. Save your credentials and any PIN. Some bureaus give you a PIN you'll need later to lift the freeze. Store it somewhere safe — a password manager works well.
4. Repeat for the other two bureaus. Don't stop after one; a thief only needs one unfrozen report.
5. Consider freezing two more specialty reports if you're worried about fraud: Innovis and the check-verification service ChexSystems (used when you open bank accounts).

How to temporarily lift (thaw) a freeze

A freeze can trip you up when you actually apply for a card, loan, apartment, or sometimes a new job or cell plan. The fix is a temporary lift, and it's also free.

1. Ask which bureau the lender uses if you can — then you may only need to thaw one report instead of all three.
2. Log in to that bureau (or call) and request a temporary lift. You choose the scope: either a start and end date you pick, or a single named creditor the report opens up for.
3. Have your PIN or account login ready. Online lifts also take effect within one business day by law, and often within minutes.
4. Re-freeze automatically or manually. A temporary lift ends on its own after the window you chose; a permanent lift stays open until you freeze again.

Plan a day or two of lead time before a big application so the thaw has time to process.

Should you freeze your kids' credit too?

Yes, if you want maximum protection. Children usually have no credit file, which makes their clean Social Security numbers attractive to identity thieves — and the fraud can go unnoticed for years. Federal law lets you freeze a minor's credit for free. Because a child typically has no existing report, you'll generally submit documents by mail proving you're the parent or guardian. The FTC explains the process for child identity theft.

Freeze vs. fraud alert vs. credit lock

Tool	Cost	What it does
Credit freeze	Free	Blocks most new-credit access; strongest protection; you lift it when needed
Fraud alert	Free	Asks lenders to verify your identity; new credit still possible; set at one bureau and it notifies the others
Credit lock	Sometimes a fee	Similar on/off control via an app, but terms are set by the company, not federal law

For most people, a freeze is the best default. Set a fraud alert instead (or in addition) if you want lenders to double-check your identity while still applying for credit yourself.

After you freeze: two quick habits

• Check your reports free. You can get your credit reports at no cost through AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized source. Look for accounts you don't recognize.
• If you spot fraud, report it at IdentityTheft.gov, which walks you through a personalized recovery plan.

FAQ

Does freezing my credit hurt my credit score?

No. A freeze has no effect on your credit score. It simply restricts who can access your report to open new accounts.

Do I have to pay to freeze or unfreeze my credit?

No. Under federal law, freezing and unfreezing your credit is free at all three nationwide bureaus, every time. If a service asks you to pay for a freeze, you're likely looking at a paid "lock" product instead — the free freeze is available directly from each bureau.

Will a freeze stop me from using my current credit cards?

No. A freeze only affects new credit applications. Your existing cards, loans, and accounts keep working normally, and you can still access your own credit report and score.

Where the call actually splits

If you have no credit application coming up, freeze all three. It costs nothing, must be in place within one business day of an online or phone request, and has no effect on your score — there is no downside to weigh against. Stopping after one bureau is the failure case: a thief only needs one unfrozen report.

If you are about to apply for a card, loan, apartment or job, thaw rather than skip the freeze. Ask which bureau the lender pulls, then lift only that one. Choose the single-creditor scope over a date range when you know the lender — a date-range lift leaves that report open to anyone who pulls it during the window. The named-creditor lift is the worse choice only if you guessed the bureau wrong, so give the thaw a day or two of lead time.

If you apply for credit constantly or won't reliably store the PINs, a fraud alert is the fallback — it's free and setting it at one bureau notifies the other two. Accept that it's weaker: it only asks lenders to verify identity, so new credit is still possible. Skip paid credit locks; their terms come from the company, not the federal law that guarantees the free freeze.

If a child's SSN is your worry, freeze by mail with guardianship documents, and add Innovis and ChexSystems if bank-account fraud concerns you.

This article is general information, not financial, legal, or medical advice. Rules and amounts change — verify with official sources or a licensed professional before acting.