How to Place a Credit Freeze: A Step-by-Step Guide
A credit freeze is free, permanent, and one of the strongest defences against identity theft. Step-by-step guide for all three major bureaus.
Last Updated: February 2026
Key Takeaways:
- A credit freeze is free, does not affect your credit score, and is the strongest consumer protection against new fraudulent credit accounts
- You must contact each major credit bureau separately
- You can temporarily lift ("thaw") a freeze when you genuinely need to apply for credit — it takes minutes online
- A credit freeze does not protect existing accounts — pair it with transaction alerts and strong passwords
- Anyone who is not actively applying for credit should consider a permanent freeze
What Is a Credit Freeze?
A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) restricts access to your credit file. When a freeze is in place, most lenders cannot access your credit report — and without accessing your report, they cannot approve new credit in your name.
What it does:
- Prevents criminals from opening new credit cards, loans, or mortgages in your name
- Prevents new accounts from appearing on your credit file without your authorisation
- Remains in place indefinitely until you remove it
What it does not do:
- It does not freeze existing accounts — your current cards and loans are unaffected
- It does not protect against fraud on existing accounts (that requires different controls)
- It does not prevent all identity theft — employment fraud, medical fraud, and tax fraud use different verification systems
Does it affect my credit score? No. A security freeze has no impact whatsoever on your credit score.
Does it cost money? In the US, credit freezes are free by law for all consumers at all major bureaus. In the UK, statutory credit reports and fraud alerts are also free through the main credit reference agencies.
Who Should Place a Credit Freeze?
Consider a freeze if:
- You have been notified that your data was involved in a data breach
- Your wallet, purse, or identity documents were lost or stolen
- You suspect you are a victim of identity theft
- You received unexpected credit applications, debt collection letters, or credit accounts you did not open
- You are simply not planning to apply for new credit — for anyone not actively using credit, a freeze costs nothing and provides significant protection
Freezes are particularly recommended for:
- Children who have no active credit (their identities can be stolen and used for years before discovery)
- Elderly relatives who are not applying for new credit
- Anyone who has had personal data exposed in a breach
Identity Theft & SIM Swap: Prevention and Recovery Guide
HOW TO FREEZE YOUR CREDIT: US GUIDE
You must freeze your file separately at each of the three major bureaus:
Equifax
Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ Phone: 1-800-349-9960 Mail: Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
You will need to create an Equifax account online or provide: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and a copy of a government ID by mail.
You will receive a PIN or account access details to use when you need to lift the freeze.
Experian
Online: experian.com/freeze/center.html Phone: 1-888-397-3742 Mail: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
You will need to provide your name, addresses from the last two years, Social Security number, date of birth, and a copy of government ID.
TransUnion
Online: transunion.com/credit-freeze Phone: 1-888-909-8872 Mail: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Same personal verification requirements apply.
Tip: Do all three in one sitting. It takes about 15 minutes total online. Keep your PIN/confirmation information somewhere secure for each bureau — you'll need them to unfreeze.
HOW TO FREEZE YOUR CREDIT: UK GUIDE
In the UK, there is no single "credit freeze" equivalent — but similar protection is available through fraud alerts and "Notice of Correction" on your credit file.
Equifax UK
Website: equifax.co.uk Place a "Protective Registration" alert — notify Equifax that you want extra checks on applications made using your details.
Experian UK
Website: experian.co.uk Use "CIFAS Protective Registration" service — this flags your address for additional identity checks when applications are made.
TransUnion UK (formerly Callcredit)
Website: transunion.co.uk Similar protective registration services available.
CIFAS Protective Registration: Available via cifas.org.uk — a cross-industry protective registration that adds a flag to your name/address in the CIFAS National Fraud Database. A small fee (around £25 for 2 years) applies. This is the UK's closest equivalent to a US credit freeze.
Lifting (Thawing) a Freeze When You Need Credit
When you genuinely apply for credit, you need to temporarily lift the freeze for the lender to access your file. This is straightforward:
Online: Log into your account at the relevant bureau, select "Temporarily Lift" or "Remove Freeze," and specify a date range or specific requester if possible.
Timing: Online lifts are typically immediate or within a few hours. Mail or phone requests may take 3 business days.
After the application: Re-freeze your file. If you provided a temporary lift, it should expire automatically at the end of the date range you specified.
Credit Freeze vs Fraud Alert: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | Credit Freeze | Fraud Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks new credit access | ✅ Yes | ❌ No — just flags for extra checks |
| Affects credit score | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Duration | Indefinite | 1 year (initial), 7 years (extended) |
| How to remove | You request removal | Expires automatically |
| Best for | Proactive, long-term protection | Active fraud concern, easier to manage |
| Cost (US) | Free | Free |
For maximum protection: Place a credit freeze (stronger) AND file a fraud alert (adds another layer). They are compatible.
After Placing a Freeze: What Else To Do
A credit freeze protects your credit file — but it is one part of broader identity protection:
- ✅ Check your credit report after placing the freeze to see what is already there [annualcreditreport.com in the US]
- ✅ Monitor existing account statements for any unauthorised activity
- ✅ Enable real-time banking alerts on all accounts Online Banking Security: How to Protect Your Accounts
- ✅ Set a carrier PIN to protect against SIM swap Identity Theft & SIM Swap: Prevention and Recovery Guide
- ✅ If you suspect identity theft has already occurred, check for fraudulent accounts opened before the freeze Identity Theft & SIM Swap: Prevention and Recovery Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will a credit freeze stop fraud on my existing accounts? A: No. A freeze only affects new credit applications. For existing account fraud, use transaction alerts, strong passwords, and 2FA.
Q: Can I freeze my child's credit? A: Yes, in the US — parents can place a credit freeze on a minor child's file as their authorised representative. In the UK, similar protective registrations can be placed. Children who are not applying for credit should have a freeze as a precaution.
Q: I'm applying for a mortgage next month. Can I have a freeze? A: Yes — just plan to temporarily lift the freeze with the specific bureau(s) your mortgage lender will check, before they run your credit. Most online lifts are immediate. Re-freeze after the application process is complete.
Q: A company sent me a notice about a data breach. Should I freeze? A: Yes, and promptly. Breach data is often sold and used months after the breach. Freezing quickly reduces the window of opportunity for fraudulent account openings.
Internal Links
- Identity Theft & SIM Swap: Prevention and Recovery Guide — Identity Theft Guide
- SIM Swap Fraud Explained: What It Is and How to Stop It — SIM Swap Fraud
- Identity Theft & SIM Swap: Prevention and Recovery Guide — Carrier PIN Guide
- Identity Theft & SIM Swap: Prevention and Recovery Guide — Dark Web Monitoring
- Payment Fraud Incident Response: A Step-by-Step Guide — Incident Response
- Payment Fraud Incident Response: A Step-by-Step Guide — Report Bank Fraud
Last Updated: February 2026 | Credit freeze procedures may change. Verify current processes directly with your credit bureau. Educational purposes only — not financial or legal advice.
Need Professional ATM Security Support?
ATM Fortify provides anti-skimming hardware, security assessments, and fraud prevention consulting for ATM operators and financial institutions across 30+ countries.