Identitytheft.org is a privately owned website and is not associated with any government agencies.

What is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is a measure you can take to restrict access to your credit report. When you place a credit freeze on your account, the credit bureaus are required to block access to your credit report by lenders and other third parties who may want to check your credit history to determine your eligibility for credit or loans.

This means that if someone tries to open a new account or take out a loan in your name, the lender won’t be able to check your credit report and therefore will likely be unable to extend credit. This can help protect you from identity theft and fraud.

What are the Reasons for Freezing Your Credit?

There are several reasons why someone may want to freeze their credit:

  • Prevent identity theft: One of the primary reasons to freeze your credit is to protect yourself from identity theft. If someone steals your personal information, such as your Social Security number, they may try to open accounts in your name. By freezing your credit, you can make it more difficult for someone to use your information to apply for credit.
  • Control who has access to your credit report: When you freeze your credit, you can control who has access to your credit report. This means that only companies and lenders that you have authorized will be able to access your credit report.
  • Avoid unauthorized credit inquiries: When you apply for credit, the lender will usually check your credit report. These credit inquiries can lower your credit score. By freezing your credit, you can prevent unauthorized credit inquiries, which can help maintain or improve your credit score.
  • Peace of mind: Freezing your credit can give you peace of mind that your personal information is safe and that no one can open new accounts in your name without your knowledge.

Does Freezing Your Credit Affect Your Credit Score?

No, freezing your credit does not affect your credit score. When you freeze your credit, the credit bureaus will not make any changes to the information in your credit report, so there is no impact on your credit score.

However, when you apply for credit or loans, the lender will usually need to check your credit report. If your credit report is frozen, the lender won’t be able to access it, and this can prevent them from extending credit to you. Therefore, it’s important to unfreeze your credit temporarily if you plan to apply for credit or loans.

It’s also important to note that while freezing your credit won’t affect your credit score, it can affect your ability to open new accounts easily. When you freeze your credit, you’ll need to provide a PIN or password to unfreeze it temporarily or permanently. This extra step can create some inconvenience when you need to open new accounts quickly. However, the added security benefits of a credit freeze can outweigh the inconvenience in most cases.

How Long Should You Freeze Your Credit For?

There is no set time period for how long you should freeze your credit. It ultimately depends on your personal situation and preferences.

Some people choose to keep their credit frozen indefinitely as a proactive measure to protect against identity theft and fraud. However, this can make it more difficult to apply for credit or loans in the future, as you’ll need to lift the freeze each time you want to open a new account.

If you’ve experienced identity theft or suspect that your personal information has been compromised, it’s a good idea to keep your credit frozen until you’ve resolved the issue and taken steps to secure your accounts and personal information.

If you’re not sure how long to keep your credit frozen, you can consider factors such as your risk tolerance, frequency of opening new accounts, and overall comfort level with the process. You can also regularly monitor your credit report for any signs of unauthorized activity, which can help you determine whether to continue the freeze or lift it temporarily.

It’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long you should freeze your credit. You can consult with a financial advisor or credit counseling service to help you make an informed decision based on your unique circumstances.

How to Freeze Your Credit

To freeze your credit, you’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a credit freeze. Here are the general steps to freeze your credit:

  • Contact the credit bureaus: You can initiate a credit freeze by phone, mail, or online. Each credit bureau has a specific process for placing a freeze, so check their websites for more information.
  • Provide your personal information: You’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity.
  • Pay any required fees: Depending on the state you live in, there may be a fee to place a credit freeze. The cost varies by bureau and state, but it’s typically between $0 to $15 to place, lift or remove a credit freeze.
  • Receive confirmation: After you’ve requested a credit freeze, the credit bureau will send you confirmation in writing that the freeze has been placed.
  • Remember to unfreeze your credit: If you want to apply for credit or loans, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit temporarily. You can do this by contacting each credit bureau and requesting a temporary lift of the freeze. There may be a fee for lifting the freeze, depending on your state.

How to Unfreeze Your Credit

To unfreeze your credit, you’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a temporary lift or removal of the freeze. Here are the general steps to unfreeze your credit:

  • Contact the credit bureaus: You can initiate an unfreeze by phone, mail, or online. Each credit bureau has a specific process for lifting the freeze, so check their websites for more information.
  • Provide your personal information: You’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity.
  • Provide the PIN or password: When you placed the credit freeze, you were given a PIN or password. You’ll need to provide this information to lift the freeze temporarily or remove it permanently.
  • Specify the duration: If you want to lift the freeze temporarily, you’ll need to specify how long you want the freeze to be lifted, such as one day or one week. After the specified time, the credit freeze will automatically go back into effect.
  • Pay any required fees: Depending on the state you live in, there may be a fee to lift the freeze temporarily. The cost varies by bureau and state, but it’s typically between $0 to $15.
  • Receive confirmation: After you’ve requested a lift of the credit freeze, the credit bureau will send you confirmation in writing that the lift has been placed.

It’s important to note that lifting the credit freeze is a temporary solution, and the credit freeze will automatically go back into effect after the specified time period. If you want to remove the freeze permanently, you’ll need to contact each credit bureau and follow their specific procedures for removing the freeze.

Remember that it may take some time for the credit bureaus to lift the freeze, so it’s important to plan ahead if you need to apply for credit or loans.

Credit Freezes and Identity Theft Prevention

Credit freezes can prevent identity theft by making it more difficult for someone to open new accounts or obtain credit in your name. When you place a credit freeze, the credit bureaus are required to block access to your credit report by lenders and other third parties who may want to check your credit history to determine your eligibility for credit or loans.

This means that if someone tries to open a new account or take out a loan in your name, the lender won’t be able to check your credit report and therefore will likely be unable to extend credit. This can help protect you from identity theft and fraud, as it makes it harder for someone to use your personal information to open accounts or obtain credit in your name.

Additionally, credit freezes can help prevent unauthorized credit inquiries, which can lower your credit score. When you apply for credit, the lender will usually check your credit report. These credit inquiries can lower your credit score. By freezing your credit, you can prevent unauthorized credit inquiries, which can help maintain or improve your credit score.

Bottom Line

Credit freezes can be an effective tool to prevent identity theft by making it more difficult for someone to open accounts or obtain credit in your name. However, it’s important to remember that credit freezes are not foolproof and may not prevent all instances of identity theft or fraud. It’s also important to monitor your accounts regularly and take other proactive measures, such as using strong passwords and not sharing personal information online.