How do I freeze my credit, and should I do it?

My information showed up in a data breach notice from a company I used years ago. A friend told me to freeze my credit, but I'm worried it will mess up my credit score or make it impossible to apply for things later. How does a credit freeze work, what does it cost, and is it worth doing?

Concerns & risks

You received a breach notice or simply want to protect yourself from someone opening accounts in your name, and you are not sure whether a freeze is overkill.

At a glance: freeze contacts
Bureau	How to freeze
Equifax	Online, phone or mail
Experian	Online, phone or mail
TransUnion	Online, phone or mail
Cost	Free under federal law

CFPB illustration of a credit report and checklist (CFPB official image), annotated: Freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — Freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Image: CFPB (official source, cropped and annotated by ReportSpeed)

Overview diagram: Freeze your credit — All three bureaus; Store logins safely; Check your reports; Lift when applying — The whole fix at a glance: all three bureaus, store logins safely, check your reports, lift when applying. Original diagram by ReportSpeed

Causes & evidence

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, so most new lenders cannot check it and therefore won't open new credit in your name. Under federal law, placing and lifting a freeze is free at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze does not affect your credit score, your existing accounts or your ability to check your own report. A fraud alert is a lighter option that asks lenders to verify your identity, and an initial alert lasts one year. You need to contact each bureau separately to freeze, because they don't share freezes.

Federal law made freezes free at all three bureaus. You can lift a freeze for a set period or for a specific lender, and online lifts are often processed quickly.

Troubleshooting flowchart: try each step in order and stop when it is fixed — How do I freeze my credit, and should I do it — Work through it in order and stop when the problem is gone. Original diagram by ReportSpeed

Freezing at just one bureau leaves the other two open, which is how many partial protections fail.

What to do

Step illustration: numbered steps for How do I freeze my credit, and should I do it — The steps from this answer as numbered cards. Original diagram by ReportSpeed

Comparison chart: Credit freeze vs fraud alert at a glance (CFPB, FTC) — Credit freeze vs fraud alert at a glance (CFPB, FTC). Original diagram by ReportSpeed

Credit freeze vs fraud alert at a glance (CFPB, FTC)
Item	Credit freeze	Fraud alert
Cost	Free by law	Free
Where	Each bureau separately	Contact one; it notifies the other two
Effect	Blocks most new credit checks	Lenders must take steps to verify you
Duration	Until you lift it	Initial alert lasts one year
Effect on credit score	None	None

Create accounts or call Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and request a freeze at each.
Save each bureau's login or PIN in a password manager.
Pull your free credit reports and look for accounts you don't recognise.
When you need to apply for credit, ask the lender which bureau it uses and lift only that one temporarily.
If you find fraud, report it at IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.

Common mistakes:

Freezing only one bureau
Losing the PIN or login needed to lift the freeze
Thinking a freeze damages your credit score

ReportSpeedMan tip: Consider freezing your children's credit too; the bureaus allow parents to place freezes for minors, which blocks identity thieves who target clean credit files.

What I would actually do

FTC IdentityTheft.gov recovery site on devices (FTC official image), annotated: Found fraud? Get a plan at IdentityTheft.gov — Found fraud? Get a plan at IdentityTheft.gov. Image: FTC (official source, cropped and annotated by ReportSpeed)

freeze all three bureaus this week, store the logins in a password manager, and lift the right one for a day or two when I apply for a loan.

The trade-off people miss: a freeze doesn't stop misuse of existing accounts or tax fraud, so I'd still check statements and reports.

Checking that it worked

All three bureaus confirm a freeze and you can find the logins to lift them.

Quick FAQ

Does a freeze stop all credit checks?
It blocks most new lenders; existing creditors can still review your account.

Can I still check my score?
Yes.

How long does it last?
Until you remove it.

Wrap-up: Freeze at all three bureaus, store the logins safely and lift temporarily when you apply for credit. It's free and lasting protection.

Wiki: Identity Theft Recovery Steps.

How do I freeze my credit, and should I do it: read the originals

Step-by-step photos

1. Before The problem
2. Why it happens The cause
3. The fix The fix
4. After The result

⚡ Speed Summary

Freeze at all three bureaus, store the logins safely and lift temporarily when you apply for credit.
Consider freezing your children's credit too; the bureaus allow parents to place freezes for minors, which blocks identity thieves who target clean credit files.
Freezing at just one bureau leaves the other two open, which is how many partial protections fail.

How do I freeze my credit, and should I do it?

Concerns & risks

Causes & evidence