If you’re worried someone might use your personal information to apply for credit, freezing your credit reports is one practical step you can take yourself. A freeze restricts access to your report for many new-credit applications, making it harder for a lender to approve an account in your name.
You need to contact each of the three nationwide credit bureaus separately, and a freeze is not a substitute for checking existing accounts. This guide explains how to set one up, how to lift it when needed and what to keep in mind.
Before you start
A credit freeze is free. It does not lower your credit score or prevent you from checking your own credit report. It also does not stop every kind of access to your report: federal law allows certain organizations to access reports in specific circumstances. For example, a freeze generally does not block a company you already have an account with from reviewing your report for account management.
Have an email address and phone number available in case a bureau needs them to set up or verify your account. You may also need to provide personal information to confirm your identity. Use the official bureau websites—not links in unexpected messages—and take care when entering sensitive information.
How to place a credit freeze
- Open the Federal Trade Commission’s credit-freeze page. Use its links and instructions to find the official freeze process for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze at one bureau does not automatically freeze your reports at the other two.
- Go to the first bureau’s official website. Choose its credit-freeze service and follow the instructions to create or access an account. Check that you are on the bureau’s actual site before entering personal details.
- Complete identity verification. Provide the information the bureau requests. If the online process does not work, use the contact options on that bureau’s official freeze page to ask about another way to place the freeze.
- Confirm that the freeze is in place. Look for an on-screen confirmation or a message in your account. Save the confirmation somewhere secure so you can refer to it later.
- Repeat the process with the other two bureaus. Place separate freezes with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Keep a simple record of which bureaus you have completed and any confirmation details.
- Store your access information securely. Use a password manager or another secure place for account details and recovery information. Don’t leave sensitive information in an easily accessible note or email.
- Check your reports and accounts as usual. A freeze is aimed at restricting access for many new-credit applications; it does not monitor your bank or card accounts or stop someone from using an account that already exists.
When you need to apply for credit
If you plan to apply for a credit card, loan, rental housing or another service that may require a credit check, ask the organization whether it needs access to a particular report. Then contact the relevant bureau to lift the freeze. You can request a temporary lift or remove the freeze, depending on the options offered by the bureau.
If you do not know which bureau will be checked, you may need to lift freezes at more than one. Check each bureau’s current instructions and choose dates that cover the application process. Put a reminder on your calendar to review the freeze afterward if you arranged a temporary lift.
When the application is finished, check the bureau accounts to confirm whether you want the freezes in place again. Keep in mind that the bureaus manage their own freeze processes, so an action with one does not automatically change the status at the others.
What a credit freeze can—and can’t—do
A freeze can make it more difficult for a person who has your information to open a new account that depends on access to your credit report. It does not guarantee that identity theft will not happen. It also does not prevent fraud on existing credit cards or bank accounts, stop someone from using your debit card, or correct inaccurate information on a report.
Continue to review account statements and transaction alerts, and contact your bank or card issuer promptly if you see activity you do not recognize. If you find signs that your identity has been misused, the FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov site can help you make a recovery plan.
Tips to avoid common mistakes
- Don’t confuse a freeze with a credit lock. A freeze is a free legal protection. A credit lock is a separate service, and its terms may differ. Read what you are signing up for before agreeing to a paid product.
- Don’t assume one freeze covers all three bureaus. Check that you have completed the process with each one.
- Don’t expect a freeze to block every inquiry. Some access is allowed under federal law. Consult the FTC’s explanation if you need to understand the exceptions.
- Don’t wait until the moment you apply to figure out how to lift a freeze. Find the bureau’s official instructions ahead of time, especially if your application has a deadline.
Placing a freeze takes a little repetition, but the process is manageable: use each bureau’s official service, confirm each action and keep your account details secure. You can then lift a freeze when a legitimate application requires access to your report.
