A credit freeze — technically a "security freeze" under FCRA §605A — is the single most effective protection against new account fraud. Since the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, freezes are free for all consumers at all three major bureaus and remain in place permanently until you lift them. Here is exactly how to freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in 2026, plus what the freeze does and does not protect against.
What a credit freeze actually does
A credit freeze instructs the bureau to block access to your credit file for credit-check purposes. When a lender, bank, or creditor attempts to pull your credit report to approve a new credit application, the bureau returns a restricted file notification instead of your full report. Because lenders cannot evaluate your creditworthiness without a report, they cannot open a new account. This blocks most new account fraud — someone who has your name, SSN, and address cannot open a credit card, take out a loan, or apply for an apartment in your name if your file is frozen.
What a freeze does not protect: existing accounts (a fraudster who already has access to your credit card can still use it), non-credit checks (employment checks and tenant screening use a different process), government agency access, and insurers in some states. It also does not prevent soft inquiries — pre-approved offers and account monitoring by existing creditors still work during a freeze.
Step-by-step: Freeze at Equifax
Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ — create or log into your myEquifax account, then navigate to "Add a Security Freeze." The freeze is placed immediately. Save the PIN or confirmation code provided — you will need it to temporarily lift the freeze later. By phone: 800-685-1111. By mail: Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348 — include your name, address, date of birth, last four of SSN, and a copy of a government-issued ID. Mail freezes take 3 business days. The fastest method is online.
Step-by-step: Freeze at Experian
Online: experian.com/freeze/center.html — create an Experian account if you do not have one, then select "Add a Security Freeze." The freeze takes effect immediately online. By phone: 888-397-3742. By mail: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 — include name, addresses for the past two years, date of birth, SSN, and copies of two proofs of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.). Experian provides a unique PIN that you will use to manage your freeze. Store this in a secure location — losing it creates complications when you need to temporarily lift the freeze for a loan application.
Step-by-step: Freeze at TransUnion
Online: transunion.com/credit-freeze — create a TransUnion account (they will ask identity verification questions), then select "Add a Freeze." Online freezes take effect within one hour. By phone: 888-909-8872. By mail: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094 — include your name, full address history for the past two years, date of birth, SSN, and copies of one government-issued ID and one proof of current address. TransUnion also provides a PIN for freeze management.
What to do when you need to apply for credit
When you need to apply for a loan, credit card, apartment, or any other product that requires a credit pull, you temporarily lift (or permanently remove) the freeze at the specific bureau the lender uses. Most lenders tell you which bureau they pull — ask the loan officer or the lender's website. You can lift the freeze for a specific time window (e.g., lift for 7 days while applying for a mortgage) or for a specific requester by name. Online lifts take effect immediately at Experian and TransUnion; Equifax online lifts are typically same-day.
The practical workflow for a mortgage application: call your loan officer, ask which bureaus they pull, log into each relevant bureau's freeze portal, temporarily lift for a 14-day window starting the day of your expected application, apply for the mortgage, then re-freeze all three bureaus after approval. This process takes about 10 minutes online and is completely free under the 2018 law.
Smaller bureaus — should you freeze them too?
The three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, TransUnion — handle the vast majority of credit checks for mainstream lending. But there are specialty consumer reporting agencies that handle specific verticals: ChexSystems (bank account openings), Innovis (used by some lenders), LexisNexis (used for insurance and background checks), and NCTUE (utility accounts). If you are concerned about comprehensive identity protection, you can also freeze your ChexSystems report (consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/chexsystems/freeze.htm) and your Innovis report (innovis.com/innovis/security-freeze). These are also free under the 2018 law.
Credit freeze vs. credit lock — the legal distinction
A credit lock is a commercial product offered by the bureaus (often as part of a paid subscription) that functions similarly to a freeze but has weaker legal backing. A credit freeze is your FCRA §605A right — if the bureau fails to honor a freeze, you have a federal legal claim. A credit lock is a contractual agreement with the bureau — their terms of service control the remedy if something goes wrong. The freeze is stronger. The lock may be more convenient (some offer mobile app on/off toggles), but for maximum legal protection, use the statutory freeze at all three bureaus rather than a commercial lock product.
Managing identity theft after fraudulent accounts appeared on your report?
Restore Credit helps you dispute fraudulent and inaccurate accounts with FCRA §611 and §605B letters. Restore Credit is software, not a credit repair organization. Results vary.
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