Last updated: September 2026
A credit freeze is the strongest free defense against new-account identity theft. It restricts access to your credit file so lenders can't pull it — and without a credit pull, criminals generally can't open new credit cards, loans, or lines of credit in your name. Freezes are free under federal law, don't affect your credit score, and don't interfere with your existing accounts. Here's exactly how to place one with each bureau.
What You'll Need
Each bureau will ask you to verify your identity. Have the following ready before you start:
- Your full legal name and Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- Your current address (and previous addresses if you've moved in the last two years)
- A phone number and email address for verification codes
Set aside about 30 minutes total. You must freeze your file with all three bureaus separately — a freeze at one does not carry over to the others.
Equifax
Online (fastest): Go to Equifax's security freeze page and select "Place a security freeze." You'll create or log in to a myEquifax account, verify your identity, and confirm the freeze. You'll receive a confirmation immediately.
By phone: Call Equifax's automated freeze line at 1-800-685-1111 (or 1-888-298-0045) and follow the prompts. Have your SSN and address details ready.
By mail: You can also request a freeze by writing to Equifax, including your full name, SSN, date of birth, and current and previous addresses, plus copies of documents proving your identity and address. Mail is the slowest option — allow several weeks.
Experian
Online (fastest): Use Experian's security freeze center to add a freeze. You'll create a free account, verify your identity, and the freeze takes effect immediately. Experian lets you manage the freeze from your account dashboard.
By phone: Call 1-888-397-3742 and follow the automated prompts to add a security freeze.
By mail: Send a written request with your identifying information and copies of identity and address documents to Experian's freeze address. Allow several weeks for processing.
TransUnion
Online (fastest): Use TransUnion's freeze page to place a freeze through your free account. Identity verification is done online and the freeze applies immediately.
By phone: Call 1-888-909-8872 to add a freeze by phone.
By mail: Mail a written request with your personal details and copies of identifying documents. As with the other bureaus, allow several weeks.
How to Temporarily Lift a Freeze
A freeze only blocks new credit inquiries — it doesn't affect your score or your current accounts. But when you need to apply for a credit card, mortgage, car loan, or apartment, you'll need to temporarily lift it. Here's how that works:
- Temporary lift (thaw): Log in to the bureau's website or call, and request that the freeze be lifted for a specific date range or for a specific creditor. Online and phone lifts are typically processed within an hour; by law, bureaus must lift a freeze within one hour of an electronic request.
- Targeted lift: If you know which bureau the lender will use, you can lift just that one — ask the lender first.
- Permanent removal: You can remove a freeze entirely at any time, also free. There's rarely a reason to: a frozen file with temporary lifts is the standard best practice.
You'll use a PIN or your online account credentials to manage the freeze, so store them somewhere safe — ideally a password manager.
Freeze vs. Fraud Alert vs. Credit Lock
These get confused constantly. A security freeze blocks access to your credit file entirely and is the strongest option — free by federal law. A fraud alert doesn't block access; it tells creditors to verify your identity before issuing credit, lasts one year, and only needs to be placed with one bureau. A credit lock is a similar blocking tool offered through a bureau's app or a paid service — faster to toggle on and off, but it's a commercial product, not the federally regulated freeze. For maximum protection, use the freeze.
Common Questions
Will a freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze doesn't affect your credit score, your existing accounts, or your ability to use your current credit cards. It only restricts new inquiries.
Can I still get my free credit reports with a freeze in place?
Yes. You can still pull your own reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and check your scores. A freeze blocks creditors, not you.
Should I freeze my child's credit too?
If your child has a credit file — or after a breach exposed their SSN — yes. Each bureau has a process for freezing a minor's file, usually by mail with proof of your identity and your authority as parent or guardian. Child identity theft often goes undetected for years, so this is worth the paperwork.
A freeze is the foundation of identity protection, and it's entirely free. If something on a report already looks wrong, start with signs of identity theft. If you want the full picture of what to do when your data is exposed, read our guide to what to do after a data breach, and our honest take on whether paid identity protection is worth it on top of a freeze.