Credit freeze

What it is

Freezes are free under U.S. federal law at each major consumer bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). They are one of the strongest consumer tools after a breach, lost SSN, or suspected identity theft.

A freeze does not affect your credit score by itself and does not block existing creditors from reviewing your account, but you must plan ahead before applying for new credit, loans, or some services.

How it works

1. Request — You set a freeze online, by phone, or by mail at each bureau you choose.
2. Lock — New creditor pulls are blocked unless you thaw/lift with a PIN or password.
3. Lift when needed — Temporarily unfreeze before a car loan, apartment screening, or card application.
4. Refreeze — Put the freeze back when done.
5. A freeze is different from a fraud alert (which warns lenders to take extra steps) and from credit monitoring (which notifies you after inquiries).

Red flags

• You are placing a freeze after a breach involving SSN or full personal data
• You see new-account inquiries you do not recognize (freeze plus disputes)
• A child or dependent may need a protected freeze if eligible in your state
• Sales pitches that claim you must pay for a freeze (you should not for the basic right)
• Confusion between freeze, lock (bureau product branding), and monitoring subscriptions
• Forgetting to lift a freeze before a time-sensitive application

What to do if you’re targeted

• **Freeze at all three bureaus** — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and store PINs safely.
• **Add a fraud alert** if you want lenders warned without a full freeze, or use both strategies as needed.
• **Review annual credit reports** and dispute errors.
• **If identity theft is active**, also file at IdentityTheft.gov and contact affected lenders.
• **Plan lifts** before applying for credit so you are not stuck mid-purchase.
• **Pair with hygiene:** unique passwords, MFA, and optional identity monitoring / free scan for exposure beyond credit files.

Related terms

• Identity theft
• Data breach
• Personally identifiable information (PII)