How to freeze your credit
According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 1 million reports of identity theft were filed in 2023, with nearly half of those reporting the opening of fraudulent credit cards. If you’re not actively shopping for a credit card or loan, freezing your credit is a smart security move.
Let’s break down how to place a freeze on your credit or a minor’s credit report, and outline when to place a freeze or thaw your credit.
What is a credit freeze?
A credit freeze blocks access to your credit reports, protecting you against scammers’ attempts to access them and open fraudulent accounts. It’s completely free to place this security freeze, and it won’t harm your credit.
It’s important to keep in mind that your credit will remain frozen until you unfreeze it again. So, it’s important to remember to unfreeze your credit if your credit reports must be accessed for verification by a trusted entity.
While frozen, your credit report will not be available for view, except by a select few individuals and institutions.
- You may access your own credit report
- Creditors with whom you currently have a loan
- Debt collectors
- Credit agencies, for the purpose of sending you credit offers
- Government or child support agencies
- Your employer or potential employer (however, certain information may be redacted)
Freeze requests may be submitted online, by phone, or by mail very quickly. They must be completed by the credit bureau within one business day if submitted by phone or online. However, the bureaus have up to three business days to complete the request if submitted by mail.
When should you freeze your credit?
If you are not actively seeking to open a new loan, whether it be a mortgage, auto loan, home equity loan, credit card, or other loan, it’s wise to protect your personal information and block access to your credit report.
Additionally, if you’ve been impacted by a data breach or other fraudulent activity, it’s best to place a freeze immediately to prevent fraudsters from opening a new account under your name, potentially negatively impacting your credit score.
How to freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus
Freezing your credit is one helpful way to help prevent identity theft and fraud, even if a criminal has key information such as your birthday and Social Security number. Below is a step-by-step guide for placing a freeze on your credit at all three credit bureaus.
Equifax
Call the automated line at (800) 349-9960 or customer care at (888) 298-0045.
To freeze your credit online:
- Visit www.equifax.com
- Select “Log In” on the top right
- Select “Login” under myEquifax section
- If you’re a returning user, enter login credentials and click “Sign Into myEquifax” — if you’re a first-time user, click “Register Now”
- Once logged into the home screen, under Your Identity select “Freeze”
- Select “Place a Freeze,” review request info and confirm by selecting “Place a Freeze”
- The screen will confirm your freeze was placed
Experian
Go online to initiate, or for information call (888) 397‑3742.
To freeze your credit online:
- Visit www.experian.com
- Select “Sign In” in the top right corner
- If you’re a returning user, select “Sign in to your account” — if you’re a first-time user, select “Sign up for free”
- Once logged into the home screen, scroll to the bottom of the page and under Tools, select “Security Freeze”
- Under Your File is Unfrozen, select “Frozen”
- The screen will immediately update to confirm the freeze was added
TransUnion
Call (800) 916-8800 or (888) 909-8872, or go online.
To freeze your credit online:
- Visit www.transunion.com
- Select “member login” on the top right
- Select “login” under the “Service Center” box
- If you’re a returning user, enter login credentials and click “Log In” — if you’re a first-time user, click “Create Account”
- Once logged in to the home screen, select “Credit Freeze”
- Select “Add Freeze” and click “Continue”
- The screen will confirm your freeze was placed
Freezing your child’s credit
Kids are not immune to child identity theft, and, in fact, these fraudulent crimes cost American families nearly $1 billion, annually. Parents and guardians can offer a line of defense, with the ability to freeze the credit of a child 16 years and younger.
The process to freeze a minor’s credit is a little more complicated, with additional proof-of-identity verification needed. Additionally, the bureau may have to create a credit file if the child doesn’t have one already.
As a reminder, you’ll need to lift your child’s credit freeze when they apply for a new job or for college loans. This can be an excellent learning opportunity for your child, teaching them the importance of protecting their personal and financial information.
How to unfreeze your credit
If you need to apply for credit or a loan, unfreezing your credit reports is fast and easy. The quickest way to do this is online or by phone with the same credentials you made to freeze your reports. Requests made online and by phone must be completed by the credit bureaus within one hour. If you opt to send your request by mail, the bureaus have up to three business days from when they receive your request.
Don’t forget, you’ll have to unfreeze your credit for more than just credit card applications. Your credit reports will need to be accessible when buying a car, applying for a mortgage or new apartment, and even purchasing a cell phone. Additionally, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit for “buy now, pay later” services used at online retailers. Many of these programs require a soft inquiry on your credit report to determine eligibility.
Freezing your credit reports is one of the easiest lines of defense against fraudsters. The process is quick, with online and phone freeze requests completed in one business day. And it only takes one hour to unfreeze credit when the request is made online or by phone. Don’t forget to unfreeze your credit before applying for a new loan or line of credit, and then freeze your credit again when the loan is processed.
