Credit Freeze Guide

What is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, blocks access to your credit report, making it nearly impossible for fraudsters to open new accounts in your name. It's like putting your credit report in a vault—no one can access it without your explicit permission.

Important Note:

Credit freezes are FREE by federal law and do not affect your credit score.

Equifax

Phone:

Experian

Phone:

TransUnion

Phone:

When to Freeze Your Credit

•After a data breach or identity theft incident
•As a preventative measure when not planning to apply for new credit
•To protect children or elderly relatives from identity theft

What You Should Know

•You must freeze your credit separately with each bureau
•Existing creditors can still access your frozen credit report
•You can temporarily lift a freeze when applying for credit
•Parents can freeze credit for children under 16

Managing Your Freeze

To temporarily lift or remove a freeze:

Contact each bureau separately
Plan ahead - lifts can take up to one hour to process
You can specify a date range for temporary lifts
Keep your PINs and account credentials secure

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