How to Freeze Your Credit Report.

A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, prevents credit reporting agencies from releasing a consumer's credit report to new lenders, making it nearly impossible for a fraudster to open new accounts in the consumer's name. Freezes are free to place and lift at all three bureaus, can be done online in minutes, and do not affect the consumer's existing accounts or credit score.

The right to a free security freeze is established under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1 (FCRA Section 605A), as amended by the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018. Prior to 2018, bureaus charged fees of up to $10 per freeze in most states. The 2018 amendment made freezes permanently free for all consumers.

This guide covers security freezes for adult consumers at the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Specialty consumer reporting agencies such as ChexSystems, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and NCTUE are not covered here, though similar freeze rights apply to those agencies under separate FCRA provisions.

Key takeaways

• A security freeze is free at all three bureaus and can be placed online at each bureau's website in under five minutes.
• A freeze does not affect the consumer's credit score, existing credit card accounts, or current lender relationships.
• Freezes must be placed separately at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion; one bureau does not notify the others.
• A temporary lift, called a thaw, can be placed for a specific lender or a specific date range when the consumer wants to apply for new credit.
• Under FCRA § 605A(i), bureaus must place a freeze within one business day online and within three business days by mail.

What does a credit freeze actually prevent?

A security freeze instructs a bureau not to release the consumer's credit report to a third party requesting it for credit underwriting purposes. Because most lenders require a credit report before approving new accounts, a freeze effectively blocks new credit applications made in the consumer's name without the consumer's knowledge.

A freeze does not prevent existing creditors from accessing the report, does not stop pre-approved credit offers unless the consumer also opts out at OptOutPrescreen.com, and does not prevent employment background checks or tenant screening in most cases. A freeze also does not protect against non-credit fraud such as tax identity theft or medical identity theft.

How does a consumer place a freeze at each bureau?

Each of the three major bureaus maintains a separate freeze system. A consumer must contact each bureau individually; freezing one bureau does not freeze the others. The fastest method is online, where bureaus are required to process the freeze within one business day under FCRA Section 605A(i)(1)(A).

1. Go to Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services, create an account or log in, and select 'Place a Security Freeze.'
2. Go to Experian.com/freeze/center.html and follow the prompts to add a security freeze to the Experian credit file.
3. Go to TransUnion.com/credit-freeze and log in or create an account to place the TransUnion freeze.
4. Save the PIN or account credentials provided by each bureau; these are required to lift or remove the freeze later.
5. Verify the freeze confirmation email or letter from each bureau before assuming the freeze is active.

How does a consumer lift a freeze to apply for credit?

A security freeze can be temporarily lifted, known as a thaw, for a specific lender or for a defined date range. The consumer logs in to each bureau's freeze management portal and selects either a temporary lift specifying a date range or a permanent removal. Temporary lifts for online requests must be processed within one business day under FCRA Section 605A(i)(1)(A).

When applying for a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card, consumers should confirm which bureau the lender will pull before lifting only that bureau's freeze. Lifting all three simultaneously is the safest approach for applications where the lender's bureau preference is unknown, since an application declined due to a frozen file can still generate a hard inquiry.

Does a credit freeze affect a credit score?

A security freeze has no effect on a credit score. Freezes are not recorded on the credit report as a consumer-visible entry, and scoring models do not factor in whether a freeze is active. Existing accounts continue to report payment history and balances normally during a freeze, and those updates continue to affect the score as they normally would.

A freeze also does not appear in the inquiries section of the credit report. Lenders who attempt to pull a frozen file will receive a message indicating the file is frozen rather than seeing the report, and that attempt does not count as a hard inquiry against the consumer's score.

What is the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?

A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify a consumer's identity before extending new credit but does not block the credit report from being accessed. A security freeze blocks the report entirely. Fraud alerts are placed at one bureau and that bureau must notify the other two under FCRA Section 605A(a)(2). Freezes must be placed individually at each bureau.

• A fraud alert lasts one year for an initial alert or seven years for an extended alert following documented identity theft.
• A security freeze lasts indefinitely until the consumer lifts or removes it; there is no expiration date under federal law.
• A fraud alert is sufficient for low-risk situations; a freeze is recommended when identity theft has occurred or is highly suspected.
• Both tools can be used simultaneously; a consumer may place a fraud alert and a freeze on the same file at the same time.

When should a consumer place a credit freeze?

A security freeze is most valuable when a consumer's personal information has been exposed in a data breach, when identity theft is suspected or confirmed, or when the consumer does not plan to apply for new credit in the near term and wants maximum protection against unauthorized account openings.

Because a freeze is free and can be lifted quickly when needed, many consumer advocates recommend keeping a permanent freeze active and lifting it only when actively applying for new credit. The inconvenience of a temporary thaw is minor compared to the damage a new fraudulent account can cause on a credit report. See identity theft and credit reports for a full recovery guide.

Can a consumer freeze a child's credit report?

Under FCRA Section 605A as amended in 2018, parents or legal guardians can place a security freeze on a child's credit file if the child is under 16 years old. Because minor children typically have no credit file, the bureau will create a protected file specifically to hold the freeze. This prevents fraudsters from opening accounts using a child's Social Security number, a common form of identity theft that often goes undetected for years.

To place a freeze on a minor's file, the parent or guardian must submit a written request by mail to each bureau with a copy of the child's birth certificate, the guardian's government-issued ID, and proof of address. Online placement is not available for minor files. The CFPB provides detailed instructions for each bureau's minor freeze process.

Frequently asked questions about credit freezes

Does placing a credit freeze hurt a credit score?

No. A security freeze does not appear in the credit report's consumer sections, is not recorded as an inquiry, and is not factored into any credit scoring model. Existing accounts continue to report normally during a freeze, including payment history and balance updates that affect the score.

How long does a credit freeze last?

Under federal law, a security freeze lasts indefinitely until the consumer requests a temporary lift or permanent removal. There is no expiration date and no renewal fee. The consumer must actively contact each bureau to remove the freeze when ready to apply for credit.

Will a credit freeze stop pre-approved credit card offers?

No. Pre-approved credit offers are generated through soft inquiry prescreening, which a security freeze does not block. Consumers who want to stop pre-approved offers must opt out separately at OptOutPrescreen.com, administered jointly by the three bureaus under the FCRA.

Does a credit freeze prevent employment background checks?

In most cases, yes, a freeze can block an employer's access to a credit report as part of a background check. Consumers expecting a background check as part of a job application should temporarily lift the freeze in advance. Most employers notify applicants in advance if a credit check is part of the hiring process, which provides time to lift the freeze.

Is a credit freeze the same as a credit lock?

No. A credit freeze is a federally mandated right under FCRA Section 605A and is free. A credit lock is a proprietary product sold by each bureau that offers similar functionality but is governed by the bureau's terms of service rather than federal law. Credit locks may offer faster toggling through a mobile app but do not carry the same legal protections as a statutory freeze.

Last reviewed: June 2026

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. The Fair Credit Reporting Act and related regulations are complex, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consumers with specific questions about their credit reports or rights under federal law should consult a licensed attorney or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau directly.