It’s free, and it works.
A credit freeze blocks new lenders from pulling your report. If someone steals your identity, they can’t open a card, loan or account in your name, because no lender will approve credit it can’t check.
- Free by federal law. Freezing and unfreezing costs nothing at all three bureaus.
- Zero impact on your score. Your existing accounts, payments and history keep working as normal.
- Easy to lift when you need it. Unfreeze online or by phone, temporarily or permanently, in minutes.
- You can still check your own credit. Free reports and your current creditors aren’t blocked.
Freeze at all three bureaus
Each bureau keeps its own report, so a freeze at one doesn’t cover the others. Do all three.
Shopping for a car or home? Lift your freezes a day before you apply. A frozen report can stall an approval at the desk. Refreeze once the loan is done.
Freeze vs. fraud alert
A fraud alert asks lenders to verify your identity before opening credit. It’s free, lasts one year, and placing it at one bureau notifies the other two. A freeze is stronger: lenders can’t see your report at all until you lift it. Many people use both after a data breach.
Already a victim? Report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a personal recovery plan.
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Last reviewed: Next scheduled review: January 2027