A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. When frozen, lenders cannot pull your credit to open new accounts — even if a thief has your Social Security number and personal information.
What a Freeze Does (and Doesn't) Do
A credit freeze does not affect your existing accounts, your ability to use current credit cards, or your credit score. It only blocks new account openings.
Freeze at Equifax
Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze | Phone: 1-800-349-9960. You'll receive a PIN to unfreeze later — save it securely.
Freeze at Experian
Online: experian.com/freeze/center.html | Phone: 1-888-397-3742. Create an account to manage your freeze.
Freeze at TransUnion
Online: transunion.com/credit-freeze | Phone: 1-888-909-8872. Managed through your myTransUnion account.
Don't Forget Secondary Bureaus
Also consider freezing at: ChexSystems (banking), Innovis (4th credit bureau), NCTUE (telecom/utilities), and LexisNexis (background checks).
Temporarily Lifting a Freeze
When applying for credit, you can temporarily lift the freeze online in minutes. Specify a date range and it automatically re-freezes.
