Security Freeze on Credit Reports
Guide last updated: April 17, 2026. Hazard class: financial. Civic education by a Concerned Parent.
The short version
A security freeze (also called a credit freeze) restricts access to your credit report. When a freeze is in place, lenders and most other parties cannot pull your credit — which means they generally cannot open new credit in your name. Freezes are now free at all three major credit bureaus, and you can place, lift, and permanently remove them at any time.
Freeze vs fraud alert vs credit lock
- Security freeze — the strongest protection. Lenders must get your PIN or permission before pulling your credit. Free under federal law. Stays until you remove it.
- Fraud alert — a flag on your report that tells lenders to take extra verification steps. Free. Lasts 1 year (extended fraud alert with identity-theft report lasts 7 years).
- Credit lock — a bureau-specific product that some bureaus charge for. Less legally protected than a freeze. Skip it; use the freeze.
How to place a freeze
Contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately:
- Equifax — equifax.com — 1-888-298-0045
- Experian — experian.com/freeze — 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion — transunion.com/credit-freeze — 1-888-909-8872
Freezes take effect within 1 business day when requested online or by phone, and 3 business days when requested by mail. You will receive a PIN or password — save it in a secure place (a password manager is ideal). You need it to lift the freeze temporarily.
Other bureaus worth freezing
Three major bureaus is the minimum. For fuller protection, also freeze:
- Innovis — a smaller credit bureau used by some creditors
- ChexSystems — used by banks for checking-account openings
- LexisNexis — consumer reports, including for insurance
- NCTUE (National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange) — used by phone and utility companies
These are all free to freeze. Each has its own process on its website.
Freezing a child's credit
Children under 16 can have their credit frozen for free. Children should not have a credit file at all — if a file exists for a minor, it is often the result of identity theft. Freeze each child's credit report with each bureau. Each bureau has a minor-freeze process that typically requires birth certificate and Social Security card copies.
Lifting a freeze temporarily
When applying for credit, you will need to temporarily lift the freeze. Most bureaus now allow a targeted lift — lift only for a specific lender — through their online portals. A general lift takes effect immediately online or by phone. Plan ahead: lift the freeze before applying, not after.
Who can still access your report when frozen
- Existing creditors (monitoring their own accounts)
- Government agencies with specific legal authority
- Court orders
- Certain background-check purposes (employment, rental, insurance)
- You — at annualcreditreport.com or directly through each bureau
A freeze does not prevent credit monitoring. You can still check your own credit anytime at annualcreditreport.com.
When to freeze
Freezing is low-cost and high-benefit. Reasonable triggers:
- After a data breach affecting your information
- After identity theft or suspected identity theft
- When you don't plan to open new credit in the near future
- For elderly or disabled family members more susceptible to fraud
- For children
Many people keep a freeze in place permanently and lift it when applying for a specific credit line.