How to Freeze Your Credit Reports

A credit freeze — also called a security freeze — is one of the most effective tools available for protecting yourself from identity theft. When you freeze your credit at all three major credit bureaus, you prevent anyone from opening new credit accounts using your name and Social Security number. This means even if a criminal has your Social Security number, they cannot use it to take out a loan, open a credit card, or apply for other credit in your name.

Before 2018, credit bureaus were allowed to charge fees for freezing and unfreezing your credit. Since then, federal law has made credit freezes completely free for everyone. There is no cost to freeze, unfreeze, or manage your credit security freeze at any of the three bureaus.

The three major credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You must contact each one separately — freezing your credit at one bureau does not automatically freeze it at the others. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes total if you do it online, or you can call each bureau's toll-free number if you prefer to speak with someone.

A credit freeze does not hurt your credit score. It does not prevent you from using your existing credit cards or checking accounts. It does not affect your ability to get insurance or a job. It only prevents new credit from being opened in your name. If you need to apply for new credit yourself — a new credit card, car loan, or mortgage — you temporarily lift the freeze for the specific bureau the lender uses, process your application, and then refreeze it again.

You will receive a PIN or a confirmation number when you set up each freeze — write these down and store them somewhere safe at home, as you will need them to manage your freeze later.