What is a credit freeze?
A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) restricts access to your credit report, which makes it much harder for someone to open new credit in your name. Under federal law, placing and lifting a freeze is free at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze does not affect your credit score, and you can still use the cards and accounts you already have.
Guidance reviewed October 26, 2026. This is general educational information. The cover is an AI-generated conceptual illustration.
Why freeze now?
Data breaches, holiday shopping scams and phishing texts tend to rise at the end of the year. Most lenders check your credit report before approving a new account. If the report is frozen, the application usually fails — even if a thief has your name, address and Social Security number.
How to freeze your credit in three steps
- Go to each bureau directly. Use the official freeze pages for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion (linked below). Each freeze is separate, so one bureau does not cover the others.
- Create an account or use the phone option. You will verify your identity. Save any PIN or login details somewhere secure.
- Confirm the freeze is active. Each bureau should confirm by email, letter or on your account page.
The Federal Trade Commission notes that a freeze requested online or by phone must be placed within one business day.
How to lift a freeze when you need credit
Before applying for a mortgage, car loan, credit card, apartment lease or some jobs, lift ("thaw") the freeze. You can usually lift it temporarily for a set number of days or for a specific lender. If you know which bureau a lender uses, you can lift only that one. Online or phone requests must be lifted within one hour, according to the FTC.
Freeze vs. fraud alert vs. credit lock
- Credit freeze: free, set at each bureau, blocks most new-credit checks until you lift it.
- Fraud alert: free, placed at one bureau (which notifies the others), and asks lenders to verify your identity. An initial alert lasts one year.
- Credit lock: a bureau product that works similarly, but terms vary and some versions are part of paid services.
Freezing a child's credit
Parents and guardians can freeze credit for children under 16, which can prevent identity theft that goes unnoticed for years. Each bureau has its own process and will ask for documents such as a birth certificate and proof of your identity.
Worked example: a household freeze afternoon
A hypothetical couple receives a breach notice from an online retailer. One evening they:
- Freeze both their files at all three bureaus (six freezes, $0 total)
- Store the logins in a password manager
- Turn on transaction alerts for their cards
- Plan to lift the Experian and TransUnion freezes for one week next spring when they shop for a car loan
Total time: roughly an hour. Total cost: nothing.
What a freeze does not do
A freeze does not stop someone from using a card number they already stole, draining a bank account, filing a fraudulent tax return or taking over an existing account. Keep monitoring statements, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, and check your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Freezing at only one bureau.
- Losing the PIN or login and getting locked out right before a loan application.
- Paying for a service you do not need — the freeze itself is free.
- Forgetting to lift the freeze before a credit check, which can delay approval.
How MoneyPatrol can help
MoneyPatrol can show transactions across supported connected accounts in one place, so unfamiliar charges are easier to spot. You can start free with Essential. MoneyPatrol does not freeze your credit or contact the bureaus for you.
For related safety tips, read our guide to holiday shopping scams and our article on credit score myths.
Helpful sources
MoneyPatrol is not a financial, tax, investment, legal or accounting advisor. This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a qualified professional. See our full disclaimer.
