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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For most U.S. consumers, freezing credit is a sensible, free way to make it harder for an identity thief to open new accounts in their name. A freeze does not affect credit scores and can be placed even if you have not experienced identity theft. It does not stop fraud on existing accounts, and you may need to lift it when applying for credit. This is guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), not comments from named finance experts.
What a credit freeze does—and what it does not do
A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, restricts prospective creditors’ access to your credit file. Because many lenders check a credit report before opening an account, a freeze can make it harder for an identity thief to obtain new credit in your name. It is a preventive barrier, not a guarantee against identity theft or every kind of fraud. The CFPB explains what a security freeze does, and the FTC describes credit freezes and fraud alerts.
- It is free. You can request a freeze whether or not you have been a victim of identity theft.
- It does not change your credit score. The CFPB states, “Security freezes do not impact your credit scores in any way whatsoever.”
- It remains until you lift it. You can request a temporary lift or remove the freeze.
- It does not block activity on accounts you already have. Keep reviewing bank, credit-card, and other account activity for unauthorized transactions.
- It does not stop you from checking your own credit reports.
For the CFPB’s full explanation, see “What is a credit freeze or security freeze on my credit report?” (last reviewed September 5, 2025).
Freeze, fraud alert, or credit lock?
These options are not interchangeable. A freeze restricts access to your file; a fraud alert asks businesses that check it to take an extra identity-verification step before granting credit. A credit lock is a separate service and is not required to get freeze protection.
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| Option | How it affects new credit | Duration | Who to contact | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Restricts prospective creditors’ access to your file until you lift the freeze. | Until lifted. | Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion individually. | Free. |
| Initial fraud alert | Asks businesses checking your report to verify your identity before granting new credit; it does not block access to the file. | One year. | One bureau can place the alert and must notify the other two. | Not stated in the cited FTC guidance. |
| Credit lock | A separate service; CFPB guidance says locks are no more effective than security freezes. | Not stated in the cited CFPB guidance. | Not stated in the cited CFPB guidance. | May be bundled with paid services; a freeze is free by law. |
The FTC’s guide, “Is a credit freeze or fraud alert right for you?”, explains the difference between a freeze and an alert. You can use both when appropriate.
How to freeze your credit at all three bureaus
- Contact Equifax. Use the bureau’s official freeze-request options.
- Contact Experian. Submit a separate request through its official channels.
- Contact TransUnion. Submit a separate request through its official channels.
A freeze at one bureau does not automatically freeze your reports at the other two. Start with the bureau links and contact information collected on the CFPB’s security-freeze page. Do not assume a freeze is in place at all three until you have completed each bureau’s request.
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How to lift a freeze when you apply for credit
Before applying for a loan, credit card, or other credit, ask the lender which bureau it will check. If you know, you may be able to lift the freeze only at that bureau; if you do not, you may need to arrange lifts at multiple bureaus. You can request a temporary lift for a period or remove the freeze permanently, at no charge. Put the freeze back after the credit check if you want the protection to continue.
Under the CFPB’s stated timelines, a bureau must place a freeze within one business day after an electronic or telephone request, or within three business days after a request by mail. For a lift requested electronically or by telephone, the bureau must process it within one hour; a lift request by mail can take up to three business days. Allow for those timelines when planning an application. See the CFPB guidance on freeze and lift requests.
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If you have experienced identity theft
A freeze can be one part of a response, but it will not resolve misuse of accounts that are already open. The CFPB recommends contacting affected financial institutions and closing or securing affected accounts, then reporting the theft through IdentityTheft.gov and following its recovery plan. You can also consider a freeze or fraud alert as part of those steps. The CFPB’s page on what to do if you are a victim of identity theft was last reviewed July 30, 2026.
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