A credit freeze is free, permanent until you lift it, and prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. It takes 20 minutes across three websites. This is the highest-ROI identity protection move available and there is no argument for not doing it if you are not actively applying for new credit.
READING TIME: 8 MIN · DO TIME: 20 MIN
Freeze your credit at all three bureaus right now. It is free. It stops anyone from opening new credit in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. You can temporarily lift it when you need to apply for credit. There is no reason not to do this.
Open three tabs right now:
Set freezes at all three. Twenty minutes of work that protects you permanently.
A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, prevents credit bureaus from sharing your credit report with new lenders. Without access to your report, a lender cannot approve new credit. Without approval, an identity thief cannot open a new account in your name even if they have your Social Security number, date of birth, and home address.
This is the most effective tool against new-account fraud, which is the most common form of identity theft 🔍 verify×DON'T TRUST, VERIFYClaim: New-account fraud is the most common and costly form of identity theft; credit freezes are the primary defense.Verify at: FTC identity theft resources ↗FTC Consumer Sentinel publishes annual fraud reports. New-account fraud leads the categories..
The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 made credit freezes free for all Americans 🔍 verify×DON'T TRUST, VERIFYClaim: Public Law 115-174 Section 301 mandated free credit freezes at all three major bureaus effective September 2018.Verify at: Public Law 115-174 ↗Amended FCRA Section 605A. Applies to placing, lifting, and removing freezes.. Before 2018 bureaus charged $3 to $10 per freeze. After: permanently free. Both freezing and unfreezing are free.
You must freeze at all three major bureaus separately. A freeze at one does not apply to the others.
Create or log into myEquifax. Select "Security Freeze" then "Place."
equifax.com/credit-freeze ↗Phone: 1-800-685-1111
Create or log into Experian account. Select "Security Freeze."
experian.com/freeze ↗Phone: 1-888-397-3742
Create account or log in. Select "Add Freeze."
transunion.com/credit-freeze ↗Phone: 1-888-909-8872
For each bureau, have ready:
Each bureau gives you a PIN or confirmation code. Store it securely. You need it to lift the freeze later. Use a password manager to store the PINs and bureau login credentials. See Financial Security for password manager guidance.
When you need to apply for new credit, temporarily lift the freeze. You have options:
Lifting typically takes 1 hour to 1 business day via online portals 🔍 verify×DON'T TRUST, VERIFYClaim: Under FCRA as amended by EGRRCPA, bureaus must lift freezes within 1 hour of online request and 3 business days of phone/mail request.Verify at: FTC credit freeze guidance ↗FCRA Section 605A(i)(4).. Plan an hour ahead before applying. After approval, refreeze. Another 15 minutes of work.
Children often have no credit file, which makes them targets for synthetic identity fraud. A thief can use a child's SSN to create a new fraudulent credit file over years.
Parents can freeze a minor child's credit at all three bureaus. Process is slightly different: you submit identity documents for both you and the child 🔍 verify×DON'T TRUST, VERIFYClaim: Parents and guardians can freeze credit for children under 16 for free.Verify at: FTC child identity theft ↗EGRRCPA extended free-freeze rights to protected consumers including minors.. Each bureau has a dedicated portal or mailing address for minor freezes.
Set a calendar reminder to check your credit reports annually. AnnualCreditReport.com ↗ provides one free report per bureau per year. This is the official source. Ignore lookalike domains.
The freeze does not affect your credit score. Your score continues to update. You will not see the score in a new lender inquiry while frozen, which is the entire point.
Last updated 2026-04-22. Not financial or legal advice.