How to Place a Credit Freeze

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is a right under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. When a freeze is in place, the three nationwide credit reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—generally cannot release a consumer's credit report to a lender or other third party for most purposes, such as opening a new credit account. Placing a freeze does not affect a credit score. It also does not prevent a consumer from obtaining their own credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com or from other permitted disclosures. Because the three companies maintain separate files and do not share freeze requests, a freeze must be placed with each company individually. Federal law requires these freezes to be free of charge for consumers.

To place a freeze, a consumer can use one of three methods for each company. Online, each company provides a dedicated freeze page where the consumer creates an account or enters personal information, including name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number, and answers identity verification questions. By phone, each company maintains a toll-free automated or live line for freeze requests. By mail, a consumer sends a written request to each company's address, typically including copies of a government-issued identification card, a utility bill or bank statement showing current address, and a Social Security card or other proof of number. Mailed requests are often sent via certified mail to document receipt. After processing, each company issues a personal identification number or password. That credential is required to lift or remove the freeze later, so it should be stored securely.

When a freeze is requested online or by phone, the company must place it within one business day. For requests by mail, the deadline is three business days after receiving the request. The company must send written confirmation within five business days of placing the freeze. To temporarily lift a freeze, a consumer contacts the company, provides the PIN or password, and specifies a time period or a specific lender. The company must lift the freeze within one hour if the request is made online or by phone, and within three business days if by mail. To remove a freeze permanently, the same process applies. A freeze does not stop a consumer from applying for credit, but because the lender cannot access the frozen file, the application may be delayed or denied. A freeze may also block prescreened credit offers; those can be stopped separately through the nationwide opt-out program.

For children under sixteen, a parent or guardian can request a protected consumer freeze at each nationwide credit reporting company. The request generally requires proof that the adult is the child's legal guardian, such as a birth certificate or court order, plus the child's Social Security number and other identifying documents. Similar procedures exist for adults under guardianship. A credit freeze differs from a fraud alert. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and only needs to be placed with one company, which then notifies the other two. An extended fraud alert lasts seven years and requires an identity theft report. A credit freeze remains in place until the consumer lifts or removes it. A credit lock is a separate product offered by some credit reporting companies; it is not a legal right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and its terms vary by company.