How to Freeze Your Credit—and Why It Matters

A credit freeze blocks access to your credit report so fraudsters can't open new credit accounts in your name. If a scammer gains access to your personal information and tries to open a credit card or get a loan in your name, the credit freeze blocks the lender from accessing your credit report. Without the credit report, the lender can't get the information needed to approve the application.

A credit freeze is one of the strongest preventative measures against identity theft and fraud. Plus it's free. All three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) offer it as a service and make it easy to do—and undo when you want to apply for new credit. Beyond the big three credit bureaus, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published this list of additional reporting agencies including employment and tenant screening, medical, utilities and more.

In this era of scams and data hacks, being diligent before something happens just makes sense. So why not protect yourself?

Checking your credit report annually is a smart move, but freezing your credit is one of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft because it essentially locks down your credit file, preventing unauthorized access. It's kind of like locking your front door at night.

Consider freezing your credit if:

• You want to take preventive action to protect yourself against identity theft and you aren't actively applying for new credit.
• You've been notified by a company that your data has been part of a breach, or you suspect your information has been compromised.
• You've set up fraud alerts on your credit report and been notified about a new credit card account.

It can be a smart, protective move in any circumstance. Plus, freezing your credit won't negatively affect your credit history or credit score.

The fastest and easiest way to freeze your credit is online, where you can create an account and manage your freeze. If you prefer, you can also do it by phone or by mail.

To completely freeze your credit, you must contact each of the credit reporting agencies separately. There's no way to do all agencies at once. While the process is similar for each credit bureau, there are slight differences.

You can find complete instructions on how to freeze your credit at each credit bureau's official website, but here's the basic information you need to freeze your credit with the three main agencies. For other credit agencies, the process will be similar.

• Online: Go to www.equifax.com to set up a password protected "myEquifax" account. You'll need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and other identifying information.
• By Phone: Call 888-298-0045. You'll have to answer some security questions to verify your identity.

• By Mail: Complete a security freeze request form, which is available at equifax.com. You'll need to include your full name, including any suffixes, your address, Social Security number, and date of birth. Equifax also asks that you include copies of documents that verify your identity and address. Acceptable documents include a valid driver's license or state ID, tax documents, a pay stub, and utility bills.

  Send the completed form and documents to: 
  Equifax Information Services LLC 
  P.O. Box 105788 
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

• Online: Go to www.experian.com to sign up for a free Experian account. To get started you'll have to provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number and your contact information.
• By Phone: Call 888-397-3742. You'll be asked to provide personal information, such as your Social Security number.

• By Mail: Send a credit freeze request letter to Experian. Your request should include your full name, Social Security number, complete addresses for the past two years, date of birth, a copy of a government issued identification card such as a driver's license, and a copy of a utility bill or bank statement.

  Send your request letter and documents to: 
  Experian Security Freeze 
  P.O. Box 9554 
  Allen, TX 75013

• Online: Go to www.transunion.com and set up a free account through the TransUnion Service Center. You'll need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and other identifying information.
• By Phone: Call 800-916-8800. Basic information like address, birthday, and Social Security number will be required. You may also have to answer some identity questions.

• Mail: Send a written request that includes your name, address, and Social Security number. You'll also need to include photocopies of one proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of your current address.

  Social Security documentation can include your Social Security card or Military ID, Medicaid or Medicare cards if they include your Social Security number. Address documentation can include things like your driver's license, a utility bill, bank statement, or canceled check. All your documents should reflect your current name and be unexpired.

  Send your request and documents to:
  TransUnion 
  P.O. Box 160 
  Woodlyn, PA 19094

Make it easy on yourself by collecting all necessary documentation before you get started. And if you're doing it by mail, consider sending your request and documents by certified mail so you know they've been received. Keep in mind that if you request a freeze or unfreeze by mail, it may take a few business days to process.

Freezing your credit doesn't completely shut it down. You still have access to your credit information. While a credit freeze does mean new credit cannot be opened in your name with potential creditors, existing creditors can access your credit report, as can debt collectors and collection agencies.

In certain circumstances, government agencies or child support agencies can see your credit report. And you can allow a prospective employer to access parts of it.

Unfortunately, a credit freeze doesn't protect you from marketers. They can also see your credit report for the purpose of sending you credit offers.

Unfreezing your credit, also known as "thawing" it, is also a free and easy process. And just like freezing your credit, it must be done separately with each credit bureau.

If you've created an online account, you can easily manage your freeze by unfreezing it online. You can also call the customer service number at each of the bureaus. Or if you prefer, you can send a written request by mail. Check with each bureau for specific documents that may be required.

You can lift the freeze permanently or temporarily if you need to apply for a new credit account. In my experience, having to unfreeze your credit before you accept credit offers can be a good thing, because it makes you stop and think if you really need that new line of credit.

You may also hear about something called a credit lock, which sounds similar to a credit freeze—but they're not quite the same. A credit lock is a service offered by the credit bureaus that lets you quickly lock and unlock your credit file, often through an app. It's designed for convenience, especially if you're someone who frequently applies for credit. Some bureaus offer it for free, while others bundle it with credit monitoring services that may come with a fee. Meanwhile, credit freezes are always free, according to federal law.¹

Freezing your credit may seem like just one more time-consuming thing you have to do, but it really shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Cybercriminals are relentless and getting more and more creative with their scams. By being diligent and on top of your own credit information, you can help make sure you're not a victim and save yourself a lot of potential heartache and trouble down the line. To me, that's totally worth whatever time it takes.