How To Freeze Your Credit

1. Decide if a credit freeze is right for you

A credit freeze, or a security freeze, restricts access to your credit report and prevents lenders from checking it when someone tries to open new credit. It doesn’t affect your existing accounts, credit score or your credit cards. And if you want, you could always temporarily lift or remove it at any time.

A credit freeze can make sense if you’ve ever been part of a data breach, lost your wallet, noticed strange credit activity or just want to proactively protect your credit. Many experts recommend freezing before anything happens, not after something goes wrong. That said, if you plan to apply for credit within the next one to three months, you may want to time your freeze after approval.

Note that a credit freeze isn’t the same as a credit lock. A credit lock is usually a paid service offered by the credit bureaus, while a credit freeze is a free and federally mandated tool you can use at any time.

Before freezing your credit, use this quick checklist to decide whether it’s the right decision. Generally, you’d be a good candidate for a freeze if you:

• Don’t plan on opening new accounts for the next one to three months.
• Want protection after a breach or identity theft.
• Can keep track of your PIN or password for each bureau for future unfreezing.
• Don’t mind the longer processing time if you’re mailing documents.
• Want a free and legally enforced solution to block unauthorized credit access.

Compare credit freeze, lock and fraud alert options

Credit freezes, credit locks and fraud alerts all help protect you from identity theft by making it harder for scammers to open new credit accounts in your name. However, there are a few differences between these three options.

If you want free protection and don’t plan to open new accounts soon, consider freezing your credit. A credit lock works pretty much the same but may come with a fee and isn’t legally mandated, though it’s easier to toggle on and off in an app. A fraud alert is best if you still plan to apply for credit and just want lenders to verify your identity before approving applications, since it doesn’t block access the way a freeze does.

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2. Gather required documents and review credit freeze requirements

Before you freeze your credit report, gather documents to verify your identity. You’ll need them for all three bureaus:

• Government ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Social Security number
• Proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement or lease, dated within 60 days)

For minors and dependents, add:

• Birth certificate
• SSN card
• Parent or guardian ID
• Proof of guardianship (if applicable)

Processing times vary depending on how you submit your request. If you freeze your credit online, you can expect a confirmation within about an hour. If you’re sending documents by mail, allow three to five business days for processing.

3. Submit your credit freeze request to all three bureaus

Once you’ve gathered your documents, the next step is placing your freeze. You’ll have to do this with all three major credit bureaus individually. Freezing only one bureau won’t fully protect you since lenders may pull credit reports from different databases, depending on the application. The process is similar across all three, and you can complete it online, by phone or through the mail.

How to freeze your credit online

Here are the steps to freezing your credit online with the three credit bureaus:

1. Create or log in to your account with the bureau.
2. On your account homepage, navigate to “Security freeze” for Experian, “Credit Freeze” for TransUnion or “Freeze” under the “Your Identity” panel for Equifax.
3. Follow the prompts to confirm your credit freeze. For Experian, you’ll toggle the slider to freeze your file.

4. Manage, lift or remove a credit freeze

If you later apply for credit, you’ll need to temporarily lift your freeze. You can do this online, by phone or by mail, depending on how fast you need access. If you do it online or by phone, it’ll generally only take an hour. If you’re temporarily lifting your freeze via mail, allow three to five business days.

If you know when a lender will check your credit, schedule a temporary lift for a specific date range — also called thawing your credit. Make sure to always confirm your freeze status after making changes.

Here’s how to unfreeze or temporarily lift your credit freeze:

1. Log in to each bureau portal.
2. Choose temporary lift or permanent unfreeze.
3. If thawing your credit, include the date range that you’d like the temporary lift to occur.
4. For mail, include copies of ID and a signed request letter.
5. Monitor your email or postal mail for confirmation.

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