How to Freeze Your Credit for Free (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) — 2026 Step-by-Step
A credit freeze is the single strongest, free protection against new-account identity theft. Here's how to place one at all three US bureaus in minutes, why it won't hurt your score, how to lift it free when you need credit, and how to freeze a child's credit.
A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) is the single most effective — and completely free — way to stop someone from opening new accounts in your name. Under U.S. federal law it is your right at all three nationwide credit bureaus, it does not affect your credit score, and you can lift it for free whenever you need to apply for credit. Here is how to do it.
How to freeze your credit at all three bureaus
You must place the freeze at each bureau separately — freezing one does not freeze the others. Have your name, address, date of birth and SSN ready; each will give you a PIN or online login to manage the freeze.
- Equifax. Freeze online at equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze or by phone at 888-298-0045.
- Experian. Freeze online at experian.com/help/credit-freeze or by phone at 888-397-3742.
- TransUnion. Freeze online at transunion.com/credit-freeze or by phone at 800-916-8800.
- Store your PINs and logins. You will need them to lift the freeze later. That is it — once all three are frozen, no one (including you) can open new credit until it is lifted.
Freeze vs. lock vs. fraud alert
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Blocks access to your credit file, so lenders can’t approve new accounts. Free, federally guaranteed, the strongest option. |
| Credit lock | A bureau’s own product that does something similar via an app. Equifax’s lock is free; Experian’s is inside a paid subscription; it runs under the bureau’s terms, not federal law. The freeze is the right you can rely on. |
| Fraud alert | Tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity, but does not block new credit. Free, lasts one year, and placing it at one bureau notifies the other two. A lighter measure than a freeze. |
Lifting a freeze when you need credit
A freeze is not permanent friction. When you apply for a loan, card or apartment, log in (or call) and lift the freeze — either temporarily for a set window or at a specific bureau the lender uses. It is free, and bureaus must complete an online or phone lift within one hour. Re-freeze afterward.
Freezing a child’s credit
You can place a free freeze for a child under 16 as their parent or guardian — valuable because child identity theft often goes unnoticed for years. Unlike an adult freeze, the bureaus require this by mail, with documents proving your identity, the child’s identity and age (birth certificate), and your authority. Expect about three business days after they receive it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score? No. A freeze has no effect on your score whatsoever; it only blocks access to your file.
Is freezing my credit really free? Yes — placing and lifting freezes has been free at all three bureaus by federal law since September 2018.
Do I have to freeze all three bureaus? Yes, for full protection — a lender might pull from any one of them, so freeze Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
What’s the difference between a freeze and a lock? A freeze is a free federal right; a lock is a bureau product (sometimes inside a paid plan) governed by that company’s terms. For reliable protection, use the freeze.
Hit by a scam or identity theft? See our United States reporting and recovery guide and our country-by-country guide to reporting cybercrime and recovering your money.