A credit freeze is one of the most underused identity protection tools available. It’s free, takes about 15 minutes to set up across all three bureaus, and is significantly more effective at preventing new-account fraud than credit monitoring services that charge $20+ a month.
What a credit freeze actually does
When you freeze your credit, the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — lock your credit report. Lenders use credit reports to approve new credit. If they can’t access the report, they can’t approve the application. So even if an identity thief has your Social Security number, name, and address, they can’t open a credit card, take out a car loan, or get a mortgage in your name.
A credit freeze doesn’t affect your existing credit cards or loans. It doesn’t hurt your credit score. And it doesn’t prevent you from applying for new credit — you temporarily lift the freeze when you need to, then re-freeze afterward. This used to require a fee; since 2018, it’s been free by federal law.
Why you should do it now, not after your identity gets stolen
Most people think of a credit freeze as something you do after your data is compromised. But your data may already be out there. The Equifax breach of 2017 exposed Social Security numbers, birth dates, and addresses for 147 million Americans — roughly half the adult US population. Many other major breaches have similarly exposed the kind of data needed to open fraudulent accounts.
New account fraud is the most common type of identity theft. A credit freeze makes it essentially impossible regardless of what data about you is already circulating. The cost is 15 minutes now and a few minutes each time you need to apply for new credit. The alternative is hours or months of disputed accounts and damaged credit if someone does open fraud accounts in your name.
How to freeze your credit at all three bureaus
You have to do this at each bureau separately. All three are free. You’ll need your Social Security number, current address, and possibly recent financial information to verify identity.
Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ or call 1-800-349-9960. You’ll create an account and receive a PIN to lift or remove the freeze later — save this somewhere secure.
Experian: experian.com/freeze/center.html or call 1-888-397-3742. Same process — create an account, save your PIN.
TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze or call 1-888-909-8872. Same process.
Also freeze at ChexSystems (chexsystems.com) and Innovis (innovis.com) — these are less commonly known bureaus used by banks for checking accounts and some other credit products. The process is identical.
Lifting the freeze when you need new credit
When you’re applying for a credit card, mortgage, car loan, or any product that requires a credit check, you’ll need to temporarily lift the freeze at the bureau the lender uses. Ask the lender which bureau they pull from — most use one primary bureau. Log in to that bureau’s site, choose to temporarily lift the freeze, and specify the date range (a week is usually enough). After approval, re-freeze.
If you’re not sure which bureau a lender uses, lift all three temporarily. It’s a minor inconvenience compared to the protection it provides.
The bottom line
Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, ChexSystems, and Innovis today. It takes 15-20 minutes, costs nothing, and is far more effective at preventing identity theft than any subscription service. Save your PINs and account credentials in your password manager. Then stop worrying about new account fraud — you’ve done the most important thing.