Having your identity stolen is no stroll along the beach. Victims of identity theft often suffer for months and even years after it occurs. Clearing your name takes time and effort—and sometimes money. It can seem like you’re doing time, even though you weren’t the one who committed the crime.
To prevent your identity from being stolen or further identity theft after your identity has already been stolen, you might consider freezing your credit report, a free service that all three major credit bureaus offer.
What Is a Credit Freeze?
A credit freeze, also known as a “security freeze,” locks your credit report, blocking all new inquiries. Since most banks require a credit check to process your application, an application for credit would likely be denied during a freeze. This makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open an account in your name.
Consider placing a security freeze on your credit report if any of the following applies to you.
- Your information has been exposed in a data breach.
- You’ve been a victim of identity theft.
- Your credit card number has been stolen.
- Your mail has been tampered with or stolen.
- You want to protect yourself from identity theft.
- Your credit monitoring service found your information on the dark web.
How Does a Credit Freeze Work?
While your security freeze is in place, new creditors and lenders can't request your credit report. Instead, when you're ready to apply for credit, you'll need to temporarily lift the security freeze to allow a credit pull. You may not know ahead of time which credit report the company will check, so unfreezing all three credit reports is best.
If you're requesting to lift the freeze online or over the phone, it will become effective within an hour. If you submit your request via mail, the freeze will be lifted within three business days of the bureau receiving your request. Credit bureaus are required to send you confirmation of the freeze within five business days of placing the freeze.
Note
Freezing your credit report doesn't hurt your credit score or prevent you from accessing your free annual credit report. Your existing creditors will continue to be able to update your credit report with your latest account information.
However, the security freeze doesn’t keep everyone out of your credit file. Creditors and lenders that already have access to your accounts can access your credit report and score. Employers, insurance companies, and prospective landlords can still check your credit. Law enforcement agencies can also access your credit report and score despite a credit freeze.
How to Freeze Your Credit
You can freeze your credit report at all three major credit bureaus by contacting them individually. You'll provide some personal information and select a series of security questions or a PIN for lifting or replacing the freeze in the future.
Online
Freezing your credit report online is the fastest way, and you can do this directly at each credit bureau's website:
By Phone
- Equifax: 888-298-0045
- Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
- TransUnion: 888-909-8872
Note
By law, credit bureaus must implement your security freeze within one business day when you make the request online or by phone. Mailed requests to freeze your credit report must take effect no later than three business days after your request is received.
By Mail
- Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
- Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094
Equifax provides a printable form you can use to request your security freeze. Experian requires the following information:
- Your full name, including your middle initial and any generational suffix (e.g., Jr., II)
- Complete current address and previous addresses for the past two years
- Date of birth (month, day, and year)
- Social Security number
- Proof of identification (e.g., a photocopy of your valid driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID, or birth certificate)
- Address verification (e.g., utility bill, cell phone bill, pay stub. Do not send a credit cards statement, magazine subscription, voided check, or lease agreement)
TransUnion requires you to send your name, address, and Social Security number. Also, you must provide a PIN you’ll use for your credit freeze.
The Bottom Line
A credit freeze can help curb identity theft. However, be aware that a credit report freeze doesn’t offer protection from all types of fraud. Thieves may be able to open accounts with businesses that don’t use a major credit bureau. They may also be able to commit other types of fraud like taking over a credit card or bank account or filing taxes in your name.
Businesses that you already have a relationship with will still be able to access your credit information, too, for credit reporting or raising your credit limit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you unlock a credit freeze?
When you freeze your credit with any of the bureaus, you should receive a PIN number that provides you with access to your account. To unlock your credit freeze, you usually just need to call the bureau and provide your PIN number. You can also unfreeze your credit online or by mail.
How long does a credit freeze last?
A credit freeze typically lasts until you temporarily lift or permanently remove it. Some states mandate that a credit freeze automatically expires after seven years.
How much does it cost to freeze your credit?
Credit freezes have been free since September 21, 2018, when a new law mandated free consumer access due to the major Equifax credit breach.
FAQs
When freezing your credit to limit the processing of new credit applications, you must make a separate freeze request at each of the national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).
Can I freeze all three credit bureaus at once? ›
When freezing your credit to limit the processing of new credit applications, you must make a separate freeze request at each of the national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).
How do I temporarily unfreeze all three credit bureaus? ›
You can't unfreeze at all three with a single action. You'll have to unfreeze your credit with each credit bureau individually. How do I unfreeze my credit? You can unfreeze and freeze your credit reports online or by mail, or by calling each credit bureau.
Does freezing LexisNexis also freeze SageStream? ›
Applying a security freeze prohibits LexisNexis Risk Solutions and SageStream from releasing your LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Report, your SageStream Consumer Report, or your credit score without your express authorization.
What is the downside of freezing your credit? ›
A freeze can give you a false sense of security — you may still be susceptible to credit fraud or other fraud involving your Social Security number. A credit freeze won't affect your current accounts, but if a thief steals the information on an existing account, your credit may be used without your permission.
Why freeze secondary credit bureaus? ›
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. If you suspect your personal information or identity was stolen, placing a credit freeze can help protect you from fraud.
How much does it cost to freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus? ›
Freezing your credit is free, and you'll need to do it with all three credit bureaus to lock down each of your credit reports. And again, the freeze will stay in place until you lift it.
How long does it take to freeze and unfreeze credit? ›
If you make the request online or by phone, the three major credit bureaus are required to lift the freeze within an hour . The request can be done by mail, but note that this is a longer process. The credit bureaus, however, are required to remove the freeze within three business days of receiving notice.
How to get credit freeze lifted? ›
The best way to remove (or "thaw") a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is to use a digital tool―a website or smartphone app―because that typically yields instant results. Removing a freeze by phone or mail is equally effective but may take longer.
Does Experian credit lock work for all 3? ›
Note that you must limit access to your credit files at all three national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). Locking your credit file at one bureau does not automatically lock it at the others.
A Security Freeze prevents your Innovis Credit Report from being accessed by most third parties in connection with an application for new credit. With a Security Freeze in place, you will need to take special steps when you wish to apply for any type of credit.
What is Chexsystems freeze? ›
All consumers who reside in the United States have the right to place a security freeze on their file. A security freeze is designed to prevent approval of checking, savings, credit accounts, loans, or other services from being approved in your name without your consent.
What does it mean to opt-out of innovis? ›
Opt-Out / Opt-In
Consumer Reporting Agencies may supply marketing lists to creditors and insurers which use these lists to make firm offers of credit or insurance. Opting-Out refers to the process of removing your information from these lists.
Can you put a freeze on your Social Security number? ›
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Does credit freeze affect bank account? ›
A freeze doesn't affect your credit score or prevent you from accessing your own credit report. Your accounts remain open, so it's a good idea to keep monitoring your bank and credit accounts for signs of fraud.
Do I need to freeze credit with all three agencies? ›
Unfortunately, there's no central hub where you can lock or freeze all your reports at once. So technically, you'll need to lock or freeze your credit reports at all three bureaus to have the best chance at preventing criminals from opening new accounts.
Does Experian credit lock work for all 3 bureaus? ›
Experian offers credit locking as part of its CreditWorks Premium subscription service, which also includes: Monthly access to updated credit reports from all three bureaus. Notifications of new credit activity at any of the three bureaus (to help detect unauthorized actions)
Do creditors report to all 3 credit bureaus at the same time? ›
Lenders report credit information to the credit bureaus at different times, often resulting in one agency having more up-to-date information than another. The credit bureaus may record, display or store the same information in different ways.
Do you dispute with all 3 credit bureaus? ›
You should dispute with each credit bureau that has the mistake. Explain in writing what you think is wrong, include the credit bureau's dispute form (if they have one), copies of documents that support your dispute, and keep records of everything you send.
Can I get all three credit reports at once? ›
You can request all three reports at once or you can order one report at a time. By requesting the reports separately (for example, one every four months) you can monitor your credit report throughout the year. Once you've received your annual free credit report, you can still request additional reports.
