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To freeze your credit, contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately. A freeze is free, does not affect your credit score, and stays in place until you temporarily lift or remove it. It restricts access to your credit file to make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name; it does not stop fraud on accounts you already have.
Why freeze your credit?
A security freeze limits access to your credit file, which can make it harder for an identity thief to open a new account in your name. You do not have to wait for a data breach or suspected identity theft to place one: the FTC says you can freeze your credit at any time and for any reason. The freeze is free and does not change your credit score. The FTC’s freeze guide explains the protection and the steps.
A freeze is not a substitute for checking existing accounts. Someone who has your card or bank account details may still misuse those accounts, so continue reviewing statements and report suspicious transactions to the financial institution.
How to place a credit freeze
- Contact Equifax. Use the bureau’s current freeze process, reached through the FTC’s bureau links and contact information.
- Contact Experian separately. Follow its current instructions and complete any identity verification it requests.
- Contact TransUnion separately. Submit a freeze request through its current process as well.
- Save confirmation details securely. Keep any confirmation or account information the bureaus provide somewhere you can retrieve it when you need to lift a freeze.
A request to one bureau does not freeze your files at the other two. To cover all three nationwide bureaus, you must contact all three. Bureau interfaces and identity-verification steps can change, so use the FTC’s current freeze instructions to reach each bureau.
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How to temporarily lift a freeze for a credit application
- Ask the lender which bureau it will check. Lenders may use different bureaus, so ask before applying if possible.
- Request a temporary lift from that bureau. Use its current process and choose a time window that covers the lender’s credit check.
- Restore the freeze after the check is complete. A temporary lift is different from removing the freeze altogether.
If the lender cannot tell you which bureau it will use, you may need to arrange lifts with each bureau whose report could be checked. The FTC explains that bureau choice varies in its guidance on freezing your credit.
The FTC states that a bureau must place a freeze requested online or by phone within one business day, and must lift it within one hour. Requests made by mail must be handled within three business days after receipt. These are bureau processing deadlines, not a promise that a lender will finish its review in that time. See the FTC’s explanation of credit-freeze processing times.
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- WHAT DOES IT COVER: Roll once over names, addresses, account numbers, barcodes, and prescription details on mail, statements, shipping labels, and boxes before recycling. The patented 0.5" masking pattern hides 3 lines of text in one pass.
- HOW MANY USES DO YOU GET: Each pre-inked Guard Your ID Advanced Roller delivers about 1,000 impressions (roughly 100 feet of coverage). A twist-on cap keeps the ink fresh for a 2-year shelf life, so it is ready whenever the mail arrives.
- DOES IT WORK ON GLOSSY LABELS: Yes, on most glossy and coated surfaces, plus paper, envelopes, junk mail, and prescription labels. Give the ink 10 to 15 seconds to dry on slick surfaces; it is instant on paper. Results vary by coating.
- IS IT REFILLABLE: No, and that is the point. The Advanced Roller is pre-inked and sealed, so there are no refill cartridges to buy, no ink bottles to handle, and nothing to dry out on the shelf. When one runs out, reach for the next roller.
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How to remove a freeze
If you want to end the freeze rather than open access temporarily, use the relevant bureau’s current process to remove it. Contact each bureau where you placed one if you want your files unfrozen at all three. A freeze remains in place until you lift or remove it; the FTC describes its duration in its freeze overview.
Credit freeze vs. fraud alert
A freeze and a fraud alert are different protections. A freeze restricts access to your credit file. A fraud alert asks businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit, while leaving reports accessible. You can have both at the same time. The FTC’s comparison sets out how they work.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11| Protection | What it does | Where you request it | Duration | When applying for new credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Restricts access to your credit file. | Contact each of the three nationwide bureaus separately. | Until you lift or remove it. | Arrange a temporary lift with the bureau the lender will check. |
| Initial fraud alert | Asks businesses to verify your identity; it does not restrict report access in the same way. | Request it from one of the three bureaus; that bureau must notify the other two. | One year; it can be renewed. | Reports remain accessible, with an identity-verification request for businesses. |
| Extended fraud alert | Provides a longer-lasting alert for an identity-theft victim. | See the FTC’s fraud-alert guidance for eligibility and instructions. | Seven years, according to the FTC. | Reports remain accessible, with an identity-verification request for businesses. |
Choose a freeze if you want to restrict access to your file. Consider an alert if you want businesses to take an extra identity-verification step while reports remain accessible. The FTC also offers a guide to whether a freeze or fraud alert is right for you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a freeze does not affect
- Your credit score: Freezing your credit does not lower or otherwise change it.
- Checking your own credit: You can still get your free credit reports without lifting the freeze.
- Jobs, rentals, and insurance: According to the FTC, you do not need to lift a freeze to apply for a job, rent an apartment, or buy insurance.
- Existing accounts: A freeze does not stop someone from misusing an account that is already open.
These practical effects are covered in the FTC’s guide to understanding your credit.
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- WHAT DOES IT COVER: Roll once over names, addresses, account numbers, barcodes, and prescription details on mail, statements, shipping labels, and boxes before recycling. The patented 0.5" masking pattern hides 3 lines of text in one pass.
- HOW MANY USES DO YOU GET: Each pre-inked Guard Your ID Advanced Roller delivers about 1,000 impressions (roughly 100 feet of coverage). A twist-on cap keeps the ink fresh for a 2-year shelf life, so it is ready whenever the mail arrives.
- DOES IT WORK ON GLOSSY LABELS: Yes, on most glossy and coated surfaces, plus paper, envelopes, junk mail, and prescription labels. Give the ink 10 to 15 seconds to dry on slick surfaces; it is instant on paper. Results vary by coating.
- IS IT REFILLABLE: No, and that is the point. The Advanced Roller is pre-inked and sealed, so there are no refill cartridges to buy, no ink bottles to handle, and nothing to dry out on the shelf. When one runs out, reach for the next roller.
- SHREDDER OR ROLLER: No jams, no paper dust, no noise, and the page stays intact and recyclable. Covers boxes and shipping labels a shredder cannot. Faster than a redacting marker, fits in a drawer. White roller.
If your identity has been stolen
If you believe someone has stolen your identity, report it at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC says the site provides a recovery plan. Keep checking account statements and credit reports for signs of further misuse. Paid monitoring or identity-recovery services offered by private companies are optional; they are not required to place a free freeze. The FTC explains what to know about identity theft, including recovery services.
Freezing a child’s credit
A parent or authorized representative can request a free freeze for a child under 16. The bureau’s process and required documents depend on the relationship and bureau, so follow the current instructions and be prepared to establish your authority. See the FTC’s information on protections for minors under 16.
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