How to Freeze (and Unfreeze) Your Credit

If you're like most people, you've probably gotten a letter in the mail at some point informing you that there's been a security a breach — and your personal details may have fallen into the hands of scammers. If that breach included both your personal info (name, address, etc.) and your Social Security number, then that fraudster can apply for credit in your name. Alternatively, that scammer might sell your info on the dark web, allowing a different bad actor to apply for credit in your name.

Fortunately, a credit freeze can help prevent this problem, while still allowing you to apply for credit when you need it. Here's what you need to know about credit freezes.

What Is a Credit Freeze?

When you apply for credit — say, for a mortgage, a car loan, or a credit card — you must give the creditor your Social Security number. The creditor then uses your personal information, coupled with your Social Security number, to pull your credit report from one or more of the big credit bureaus to see what your credit score is. They then you use that credit score to determine if you qualify for credit, how much credit they will extend and the rate/terms of that credit.

A credit freeze — also known as a security freeze — prevents creditors from accessing your credit report when someone (yourself or a scammer) applies for credit with your Social Security number. (Note that your credit can be unfrozen in the event that you need to apply for credit.)

How Does a Credit Freeze Work?

When you freeze your credit, you block creditors from accessing your credit report — unless you specifically instruct them to unfreeze your credit.

You'll need to freeze your credit with all three of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

When you request that your credit be frozen, the credit bureau must freeze your credit within one business day (if you requested online or by phone) — or within three business days (if you requested by email).1

Unfreezing your credit (so you can apply for a loan or a credit card) is typically as simple as logging into your account and telling the bureau to unfreeze your credit. Even if a scammer has your personal information and Social Security number, they won't have the information they need to log in and unfreeze your credit.

When you request that your credit be unfrozen, the credit bureau must unfreeze your credit within one hour (if you requested online or by phone) — or within three business days (if you requested by mail).1

How Do I Freeze My Credit?

Freezing your credit report with each of the three major credit bureaus is often a process you can do totally online. You'll typically need to provide your name, address, birthday, Social Security number, and other identifying information. The process is free, but you'll need to create an online account first (if you don't already have one).

Since these online accounts can also be used to unfreeze your credit, be sure to choose a secure password that's hard to guess — and opt for two-factor authorization, if that's an option.