Credit + protection
How to freeze your credit for free.
A step-by-step guide to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, plus how to lift a freeze when you need credit.
A security freeze restricts access to your credit file, making it harder for someone to open new credit in your name. Placing or lifting one is free and does not lower your credit score. You need to freeze each of the three nationwide bureaus separately. FTC freeze guidance ↗
Before you begin
Use a private device and a secure connection. Have your identifying information ready, including current and former addresses if requested. Enter sensitive details only on the bureau’s official site. This website does not collect Social Security numbers or manage freezes.
1. Freeze Equifax
- Open Equifax’s official security-freeze page ↗.
- Follow the route to create or sign in to your myEquifax account and verify your identity.
- Choose the security-freeze option and confirm the freeze. Save the confirmation securely.
2. Freeze Experian
- Open Experian’s official credit-freeze page ↗.
- Sign in or create the required account and complete identity verification.
- Use the free security-freeze control, then verify that your file shows as frozen. Paid monitoring or a paid lock is not required for the statutory freeze.
3. Freeze TransUnion
- Open TransUnion’s official freeze page ↗.
- Follow its account and identity-verification steps.
- Request the freeze and save the confirmation. Use the bureau’s phone or mail instructions if you cannot complete the online process.
Page labels can change. Use the official freeze pages above as your entry points, and keep unique passwords plus multifactor authentication wherever available.
When you need to apply for credit
Ask which bureau or bureaus the lender needs. Sign in to each relevant bureau and request a temporary lift covering the application window. Choose a scheduled end date if available, then confirm the freeze resumes. Coordinate with your mortgage lender because reports may be checked again before closing. Online or phone lift requests generally must be completed within one hour; mail requests take longer. CFPB freeze timing and rights ↗
What a freeze does not do
It does not stop misuse of an existing card or bank account, prevent every form of identity theft, or replace reviewing statements. Keep alerts on and protect login credentials. A fraud alert is another tool; unlike a freeze, an initial fraud alert can be requested through one bureau, which must notify the others. FTC: freezes and fraud alerts ↗
If information has already been misused
Contact the affected institution promptly and use IdentityTheft.gov ↗ for an FTC recovery plan. Review your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts and follow the dispute steps for fraudulent information.