To freeze your credit, contact each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, separately, online, by phone or by mail. A freeze is free to place and lift, it doesn't affect your credit score, and it stays on until you lift it. A freeze at one bureau isn't shared with the other two.
That last point is where people slip. They freeze one file after a data breach, feel safe, and leave the other two wide open. A lender that checks the unfrozen bureau can still open an account in your name.
Here's the full process, the deadlines the bureaus have to meet, and how to lift a freeze quickly when you need a loan, an apartment or a new phone contract. Everything below comes from the FTC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the three bureaus' own pages, checked in October 2026.
How to freeze your credit, step by step
- Have your personal details to hand. Equifax says you'll be asked for certain information to verify your identity, and the other two bureaus check who you are before they place a freeze too.
- Go to Equifax and create a myEquifax account, or call the number on its freeze page. You need to be 18 to create an account; Equifax says requests can also go by phone or mail.
- Go to Experian and create a free account. Experian says you no longer need a PIN to manage a freeze, just the account.
- Go to TransUnion and use its Service Center. TransUnion says adding a freeze online or by phone typically takes effect almost immediately.
- Save your login details for all three somewhere safe. You'll need them every time you lift the freeze.
- Check each account shows the freeze as active. TransUnion and Experian both let you view your freeze status any time.
How fast the bureaus have to act
Freezes are federally regulated, so the bureaus can't take as long as they like. The CFPB sets out the deadlines:
| Request | Online or by phone | By mail |
|---|---|---|
| Place a freeze | Within one business day | No later than three business days after they receive it |
| Written confirmation | No later than five business days after the freeze is placed | Same |
| Lift or remove a freeze | No later than one hour | No later than three business days |
| Temporary lift for a set period | Same timing as a removal | Same timing as a removal |
In practice, the online routes are faster than the legal limits. Experian says its online service freezes and unfreezes in real time, and TransUnion suggests waiting a few minutes after a temporary lift before a lender pulls your report.
How to unfreeze your credit when you need a loan
You don't need to lift all three. The FTC's tip is to ask the lender, landlord or card issuer which bureau it will check, lift the freeze only at that one, and put it back once the check is done.
- Lift temporarily for a date range if you're shopping around. Experian lets you schedule a thaw with a start and end date, and TransUnion lets you lift for a specific timeframe.
- Remove it permanently only if you have a reason to. A freeze lasts until you lift it, so there's no renewal to remember.
- Lifting and re-placing a freeze is free at all three bureaus.
If you're about to apply for credit, it's also worth checking your scores first. This guide to free credit score apps covers the options, and the CFPB says you can still request and review your own files while a freeze is in place.
Credit freeze vs credit lock vs fraud alert
| Tool | What it does | Cost and who controls it |
|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Blocks access to your file for new credit until you lift it | Free by law at each bureau; federally regulated |
| Credit lock | Also blocks lenders from checking your file for a new account | TransUnion says a lock can come as a feature of credit monitoring services |
| Fraud alert | Tells lenders to verify your identity first; doesn't block access | Free; contact one bureau and it must tell the other two |
The practical difference is the rulebook. A freeze comes with the federal deadlines above and is always free. A lock is a product feature, so its terms are whatever the service says. You can also have a freeze and a fraud alert at the same time, which the FTC says is fine.
Who can still see a frozen file
This is the detail people miss. A freeze stops new creditors, not everyone. The CFPB says that while a freeze is in place, a limited number of others can still see your file, including certain government agencies such as child support agencies and companies you've hired to monitor your credit.
The federal law requiring free freezes also doesn't apply to someone who requests your report for employment, tenant screening or insurance purposes. So a freeze isn't a reason to skip reading a background check or insurance quote carefully.
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Freezing a child's credit
The FTC recommends a free freeze for any child under 16, and the process is different from an adult's. TransUnion calls it a protected consumer freeze: a parent or guardian mails a request with documents showing they can act for the child, and the child can ask for it to be removed once they're 16 or older. Equifax and Experian also handle minors' requests by mail.
If a child's details have already been misused, the IRS side matters too. This explainer on reporting tax identity theft with Form 14039 covers what to file.
Verdict
Freeze all three, not one. It's free, it doesn't touch your score, and the bureaus have to lift it within an hour when you ask online. The only cost is remembering to unfreeze at the right bureau before you apply for something, and that's a small price compared with untangling an account someone else opened. If you're weighing paid monitoring on top, this comparison of identity theft protection services shows what you'd get for it.
Frequently asked questions
Does freezing your credit hurt your credit score?
No. The FTC says a credit freeze doesn't affect your credit score, and all three bureaus say the same. You can still check your own reports while a freeze is in place.
Do you have to freeze your credit at all three bureaus?
Yes. A freeze at one bureau isn't shared with the others, so you need to contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately. A fraud alert is different: placing one at any bureau applies it at all three.
How long does it take to unfreeze credit?
Online or by phone, the CFPB says a bureau must lift a freeze no later than one hour after your request. By mail it can take up to three business days.
Is a credit freeze free?
Yes. Placing, temporarily lifting and removing a freeze is free at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion under federal law.
How long does a credit freeze last?
A credit freeze lasts until you lift it. There's no expiry date and nothing to renew, unlike an initial fraud alert, which lasts one year.
