How to Freeze Your Credit: Instructions & Video

How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit: Video and Guide

You can place a free freeze with each bureau online, by phone or by mail. Read or watch our step-by-step instructions to learn how.

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Edited by other Updated Apr 3, 2026 Data breaches and identity theft seem to be commonplace these days. There were 3,322 data compromises in the U.S. in 2025 alone, up 79% over five years, according to data from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). If you want to protect yourself, freezing your credit offers peace of mind that no one can open an unwanted account in your name — potentially ruining your credit and forcing you to deal with the damage. » Show me: Jump to the video walkthrough » Show me:

What is a credit freeze?

A credit freeze — also known as a security freeze — blocks access to your credit reports from scammers and others who might attempt to open fraudulent accounts in your name or steal your identity. “There is so much data available about everyone,” says James Lee, president of the ITRC. “The only way to stop something from happening when it involves your financial data is a credit freeze.” Here's how it works: When someone applies for credit using your personal information, a lender or card issuer typically checks your credit before making a decision. If your credit is frozen, the creditor can't see the data required to approve the application. A credit freeze stays in place until you lift or "thaw" it. » RELATED: How to protect yourself after a data breach » RELATED:

How much does it cost freeze your credit?

Freezing your credit is free and won't harm your score in any way. Don’t confuse a credit freeze with a credit monitoring service, which is a paid subscription that monitors your credit reports and sends an alert when a new account has been opened in your name. “Credit monitoring is great,” Lee says. “It lets you know something has happened — but that’s just it. It’s after the fact.” A credit freeze is the best proactive tool to protect your financial information. » MORE: Are credit monitoring services worth the cost? » MORE: Are credit monitoring services worth the cost?

How to freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus

Contact each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — individually to freeze your credit: Equifax Experian TransUnion Manage your Equifax credit freeze: Online Call 888-378-4329 Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Manage your Experian credit freeze: Online Call 888-397-3742 Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 Manage your TransUnion credit freeze: Online Call 800-909-8872 TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094 Our guide to getting an Equifax credit freeze. Our guide to getting an Experian credit freeze. Our guide to getting a TransUnion credit freeze.

How long does it take a credit freeze to go into effect?

A credit freeze placed online or by phone happens within one business day, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The credit bureaus have up to three business days to freeze your credit after receiving a mailed request.

Watch a step-by-step demonstration

Request your credit reports in Spanish You can request your credit report in Spanish directly from each of the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion: Call 800-916-8800. Equifax: Visit the link or call 888-378-4329. Experian: Click on the link or call 888-397-3742. Usted puede solicitar una copia de su informe crediticio (gratis y en español) de cada una de las tres principales agencias de crédito: TransUnion: Llame al 800-916-8800. Equifax: Visite el enlace o llame al 888-378-4329. Experian: Haga clic en el enlace o llame al 888-397-3742.

What information do you need to freeze your credit?

Gather all the documents you will need before initiating a credit freeze. While all three credit bureaus have slightly different requirements, you'll generally need to provide your: Social Security number. Date of birth. Address. Depending on how you initiate the credit freeze, you might also need the following to verify your identity and address: Copy of your passport, driver’s license or military ID. Copy of tax documents, bank statements or utility bills. If you freeze your credit by phone, be prepared to answer additional authentication questions.

When should you freeze your credit?

NerdWallet recommends freezing your credit if you’re not actively shopping for a credit card or loan. It's especially important to freeze your credit if you suspect your personal or financial information has been compromised — such as in a data breach or phishing scam. Even if there’s no confirmed misuse, taking this step can give you added peace of mind. Other situations when a credit freeze makes sense include: 🪪 You’ve lost your wallet or personal documents. 🚨 You receive authentic alerts about suspicious activity on your accounts. 🕵️ You're a victim of identity theft or fraud. 👶 You want to take extra precautions to protect a child's credit. » MORE: How to prevent child identity theft » MORE: How to prevent child identity theft

Why should you freeze your credit?

A credit freeze is one of the best ways to protect your credit. It’s quick to set up and easy to thaw, as needed. That keeps you in control. There might be a few small inconveniences, like remembering to lift the freeze if you want to apply for new credit. But that's minor compared with the damage identity theft can cause if your credit is left unprotected. However, don’t let a freeze lull you into a false sense of security. Someone could still use an existing credit card or account if it's been compromised. Scams involving health care and tax refunds are also common. That's why it’s still important to check your account statements each month for unusual charges or activity. » NEXT: How to check if your credit is frozen » NEXT:

Who can access your frozen credit reports?

A credit freeze makes your credit reports inaccessible to most people, with a few exceptions: You can access your own records, including your free weekly credit reports. Your current creditors still have access, as do debt collectors. Marketers can see your credit reports for the purpose of sending you offers. In certain circumstances, government or child support agencies can see them. You can permit an employer or potential employer to check your credit, although the version they see omits certain details. » Get a free credit report from NerdWallet, even while your credit is frozen » Get a free credit report from NerdWallet, even while your credit is frozen » Get a free credit report

Credit lock vs freeze

Both a credit freeze and a credit lock block access to your credit reports, but there are some major differences. Credit freeze services are mandated by federal law and are free. A credit lock is a product offered voluntarily by a credit bureau, which may charge a fee and be limited in scope: Credit locks may offer convenience, such as being opened and closed with a finger swipe on an app, but they offer fewer legal protections than a freeze, can cost money and don't always cover all your credit reports.

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How to unfreeze your credit

To unfreeze or "thaw" your credit, go to the credit bureau website and log into the account you used to freeze it. There will be an option to unfreeze your credit. You may also be able to remove the freeze by phone or mail if you can provide certain verifying information. You must unfreeze your credit with each individual credit bureau. The fastest way to unfreeze your credit is online or by phone. Those requests must be granted in one hour. Unfreezing by mail takes three business days from when the bureau receives your request.

Reasons for unfreezing your credit

While it's a good idea to keep your credit frozen all the time, there are some circumstances where you might need to thaw it temporarily, such as applying for a new line of credit. Whether you're in the market for a new car, mortgage, rental apartment or cell phone, your credit report will be pulled by the lender to assess your ability to pay. You might also need to unfreeze your credit if you plan to use a "buy now, pay later" service while online shopping. For example, Affirm — one of the most popular BNPL platforms — instructs applicants to temporarily lift credit freezes at all bureaus where they've placed them. Can I still use my credit card if I freeze my credit? Yes. A credit freeze does not affect your ability to use any of your existing credit cards, make payments, dispute charges, earn or redeem rewards or change information like your mailing address. A credit freeze simply prevents new credit cards and other accounts from being opened in your name and without your permission. How do you freeze your child’s credit? Parents and guardians can freeze the credit of a child under 16 to prevent child identity theft. If you request a freeze for your child, the credit bureau must create a credit file for the child (assuming they don't already have one), then freeze it. In addition to supplying the information required for an adult credit freeze, you’ll also need paperwork to verify the child's identity and proof that you have standing to freeze the child’s credit. Can you freeze another adult's credit? You can freeze the credit of a spouse or incapacitated adult at all three bureaus. You’ll need to provide the required documentation (copies of birth certificates, court orders and copies of Social Security cards, for example) and mail them to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Look for downloadable freeze request forms, which can be found on each bureau’s security freeze page, or contact the bureaus directly for assistance. Does freezing my credit impact my ability to create a Social Security account? Freezing your credit can complicate creating a mySocialSecurity account, which is used to track earnings and estimate future benefits, alongside other features. The easiest workaround is to thaw your credit for one day so you can create your account online. After that 24-hour period, your credit freeze will be put back into place. If you want to keep your freeze in place, you'll have to use ID.me to make an account or contact your local Social Security office. Explore more on Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. Identity Theft Resource Center . 2025 Data Breach Report. Accessed Apr 2, 2026. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What is a credit freeze or a security freeze on my credit report? . Accessed Apr 2, 2026. About the authors Barroso Amanda Barroso, Ph.D., is a writer and content strategist helping consumers navigate budgeting, credit building and credit scoring. Before joining NerdWallet, Amanda wrote about demographic trends at the Pew Research Center and earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her work has been featured by the Associated Press, Washington Post and Yahoo Finance. Published in O'Shea Bev O'Shea is a former NerdWallet authority on consumer credit, scams and identity theft. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Auburn University and a master's in education from Georgia State University. Before coming to NerdWallet, she worked for daily newspapers, MSN Money and Credit.com. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, MarketWatch, USA Today, MSN Money and elsewhere. Twitter: @BeverlyOShea. What is a credit freeze? How much does it cost freeze your credit? How to freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus What information do you need to freeze your credit? When should you freeze your credit? Why should you freeze your credit? Who can access your frozen credit reports? Credit lock vs freeze How to unfreeze your credit Equifax Credit Freeze: 3 Ways to Protect Your Data How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your TransUnion Credit Report Experian Credit Freeze: How It Works, Why to Consider It Credit Lock vs. Freeze: How They Compare and When to Use Them How to Prevent Identity Theft: Warning Signs, Protection Services and More By Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze: What’s the Difference? By Bev O'Shea, Amanda Barroso How to Stay Safe From Financial Scams By Kimberly Palmer, Lisa Mulka Free Identity Theft Protection You May Already Have By Amanda Barroso, Lisa Mulka, Bev O'Shea