How to freeze your credit
A security freeze blocks lenders from pulling your credit, which stops new accounts being opened in your name. It is free by federal law and reversible in minutes.
Freeze at all three bureaus: Equifax (equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services or 1-888-298-0045), Experian (experian.com/freeze or 1-888-397-3742), TransUnion (transunion.com/credit-freeze or 1-888-909-8872). Save each PIN in a password manager.
Step-by-step check
- 1
Gather what you need
You will need your full legal name, current and previous addresses (last two years), Social Security Number, and date of birth. Have a phone for verification codes.
- 2
Freeze at Equifax
Go to equifax.com and search 'security freeze', or call 1-888-298-0045. Create a my Equifax account, verify identity, and place the freeze. Save the PIN.
- 3
Freeze at Experian
Go to experian.com/freeze or call 1-888-397-3742. Verify, freeze, and write down your PIN — Experian requires it to lift the freeze later.
- 4
Freeze at TransUnion
Go to transunion.com/credit-freeze or call 1-888-909-8872. Set a 6-digit PIN you can remember or store securely.
- 5
Also freeze at the secondary bureaus
Innovis (innovis.com or 1-800-540-2505) and the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE — nctue.com or 1-866-349-5355). Lenders for telecom and utilities pull from these.
- 6
Save every PIN and confirmation
Store the four to six PINs in a password manager. You need them every time you thaw the freeze to apply for credit, an apartment, or a new phone line.
- 7
Test by pulling your free reports
Visit annualcreditreport.com and confirm you can still see your file. The freeze blocks new lenders, not you.
Red flags
- Sites charging a 'fee' to freeze your credit — every bureau freeze is free by law.
- Calls or texts claiming a bureau needs you to 'verify' your SSN to keep the freeze active.
- A freeze 'kit' sold by a paid service that just resubmits the same free forms.
What to do next
- ✓Repeat the process for any minor children in your household.
- ✓Add a one-year fraud alert at one bureau (it propagates).
- ✓Schedule a calendar reminder to re-check your reports every 6 months.
FAQ
Is freezing my credit really free?
Yes. The 2018 Economic Growth Act made freezes and thaws free at all three bureaus for everyone in the US.
How long does it take to thaw a freeze?
Online or by phone, usually under 15 minutes — often instant. You can schedule it for a date range or a specific lender.
Will a freeze stop existing creditors from accessing my file?
No. Companies you already do business with, debt collectors, and government agencies can still access it. The freeze blocks new credit applications.
What if I forgot my PIN?
Each bureau has a recovery process requiring identity verification by mail. Expect 3 to 7 business days. Storing PINs in a password manager avoids this.
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Source: GACS — Global Anti-Crime & Safety · Published by the GACS Research Team · Updated September 6, 2026
Cite this page: GACS (2026). How to Freeze Your Credit (Free, 10 Minutes, All 3 Bureaus). https://gacs.app/how-to-freeze-your-credit · Record ID GACS-how-to-freeze-your-credit
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