Personal FinanceGuide
How to Freeze Your Credit (It's Free): A Step-by-Step Guide
A credit freeze stops new accounts from being opened in your name. What it does, how it differs from a fraud alert and how to place or lift it.
Photo by Zaqy Al Fattah on Unsplash
This article is for general information. Figures and examples are illustrative and can change; check the linked sources before making decisions.
Short answer: a credit freeze blocks anyone, including you, from opening a new credit account in your name while it is in place. According to the FTC, it is free to place or lift, doesn't affect your credit score and lasts until you lift it. You place it with each of the three bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Freeze vs. fraud alert
| Credit freeze | Fraud alert | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Stops new accounts from being opened | Businesses must check with you before opening credit |
| Does it block access to your report? | Yes, for new creditors | No |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| How long | Until you lift it | Initial: 1 year (renewable); extended: 7 years with an identity theft report |
| Where to place | Each of the three bureaus | One bureau, which notifies the other two |
You can have both at once.
How to place a freeze
- Go to the credit bureau contacts page on IdentityTheft.gov, or to each bureau's own site.
- Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately.
- Verify your identity as requested.
- Save the confirmation and any PIN or login you receive.
How to lift it when you need credit
When a lender or landlord needs to check your credit, contact the bureau(s) they use and ask to lift the freeze. The FTC suggests lifting it only at the bureau the lender will use, then re-freezing afterward.
What a freeze doesn't do
It doesn't stop fraud on accounts you already have. Keep checking your statements. It also doesn't replace strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
Before you place the freeze: a short checklist
- Have your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number ready.
- Decide which bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion each need their own freeze.
- Save the PIN or login each bureau gives you somewhere safe. You will need it to lift the freeze.
- If you are about to apply for a loan, credit card or apartment, remember you will need to lift the freeze temporarily. Ask the lender which bureau it will check so you only lift that one.
Check the FTC page for the current rules on how quickly a freeze is lifted after you request it.
Frequently asked questions
Will it hurt my credit score? The FTC says it does not.
Do I have to renew it? A freeze lasts until you lift it.
What if I'm already a victim of identity theft? See identity theft first steps.
Next steps
Freeze with all three bureaus, store your PINs safely and lift the freeze only when you need to apply for credit. Confirmed against FTC guidance on October 12, 2026.
