How to freeze your credit

A credit freeze is free and is one of the best ways to stop new accounts in your name. Here is how it works.

What a freeze does

A freeze stops most lenders from seeing your credit report, so a thief cannot easily open new credit in your name. It does not affect your score or your existing accounts.

It is free

By federal law, placing and lifting a freeze is free at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You need to place it at each of the three.

When you apply for credit

You can lift the freeze for a set time or for a specific lender, then put it back. Online or by phone, a lift usually takes effect within an hour.

Freeze, lock, or fraud alert

A freeze is set by law. A "lock" is a bureau product with its own terms. A fraud alert asks lenders to verify your identity but does not block access.