🧊 How to Freeze Your Credit for Free
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit file, which can make it harder for an identity thief to open a new account in your name. A freeze is free, does not affect your credit score, and stays in place until you lift or remove it.
You must contact all three nationwide credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to freeze all three files. The Federal Trade Commission provides official bureau links and explains the difference between freezes and fraud alerts.
A freeze does not block fraud on existing accounts, so continue reviewing statements, using strong unique passwords, and enabling account alerts.
📋 Documents you'll need
- Full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- Current and previous addresses requested for identity verification
- Government-issued identification or proof of address if requested
- Secure access to each bureau account or freeze confirmation information
🪜 Step-by-step
- Open the FTC credit-freeze guide and follow its official link to Equifax.
- Verify your identity and place a security freeze; save the confirmation securely.
- Repeat the process separately with Experian.
- Repeat the process separately with TransUnion.
- Confirm that all three bureaus show the freeze as active.
- Before a legitimate credit application, schedule a temporary lift with the bureau or bureaus the lender will use.
- Reinstate or allow the temporary lift to expire after the application.
| Estimated cost | Free to place, temporarily lift, and remove. |
|---|---|
| Typical timeline | Online or phone freezes are generally placed within one business day; online or phone lift requests are generally completed within one hour. Mail requests can take longer. |
Frequently asked questions
Does a freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A security freeze does not affect your credit score.
Is a fraud alert the same as a freeze?
No. A fraud alert asks creditors to verify identity, while a freeze restricts access to the file. Different contact rules apply.
Do I need to freeze a child's credit?
A parent or guardian can request a protected consumer freeze for a minor. Each bureau provides its own document and mail instructions.