After a data breach
How to freeze your credit for free at all 3 bureaus
The short answer
A credit freeze stops lenders from seeing your credit file, which makes it hard for anyone to open a new account in your name. It’s free, and it doesn’t affect your credit score (CFPB).
You have to freeze your credit separately at each of the three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (CFPB). Online or by phone, each freeze must be in place within one business day (CFPB).
How to freeze your credit
- Go to each bureau’s official freeze page: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Type the address yourself or use these links.
- Create an account or call. You’ll confirm your identity with details like your Social Security number and address.
- Save your login or PIN in a safe place. You’ll need it to lift the freeze later.
- Repeat for all three bureaus. A freeze at one doesn’t carry over to the others (CFPB).
By law, a bureau must place the freeze within one business day of an online or phone request, or within three business days of receiving a request by mail (CFPB).
How to unfreeze (lift) your credit
When you apply for a loan, credit card, or new apartment, log in to the bureau the lender uses, or all three, and lift the freeze. You can lift it for a set time or remove it entirely. It’s free, and an online or phone request must be handled within one hour (CFPB).
Credit freeze vs. credit lock
Credit locks are offered by the bureaus, often for a fee and bundled with other paid services. The CFPB says locks are no more effective than freezes, which are free and protected by law (CFPB).
Credit freeze vs. fraud alert
- Fraud alert: lenders must take steps to verify it’s really you before opening an account. An initial alert lasts one year, and placing it at one bureau notifies the other two (FTC).
- Extended fraud alert: lasts seven years, for people who’ve had their identity stolen and filed a report (FTC).
- Credit freeze: blocks most access to your file until you lift it, so new accounts can’t be opened in your name (CFPB).
What a freeze doesn’t do
- It doesn’t affect your credit score (CFPB).
- It doesn’t stop your existing card companies from seeing your file, and you can still check your own reports (CFPB).
- It doesn’t protect existing accounts, so keep checking your statements and your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (FTC).
Freezing a child’s credit
Parents and guardians can request a freeze for children under 16. If the child has no credit file yet, the bureau creates one so it can be frozen (CFPB).
Not sure if you need one? Start with what to do after a data breach. USAGov also has a short guide to placing or lifting a freeze.
Common questions
Is a credit freeze really free?
Yes. Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free at all three bureaus (CFPB).
Does freezing my credit hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze doesn’t affect your credit score (CFPB).
Do I have to freeze at all three bureaus?
Yes. Each bureau keeps its own file, so you need to contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately (CFPB).
How long does it take to lift a freeze?
Online or by phone, a bureau must lift it within one hour. By mail, within three business days (CFPB).
What’s the difference between a freeze and a fraud alert?
A fraud alert asks lenders to verify your identity and lasts one year. A freeze blocks access to your file until you lift it (FTC).
Is a credit lock better than a freeze?
No. The CFPB says locks are no more effective than freezes, and locks often cost money (CFPB).
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. If money already left your account, call your bank or card company first.