Credit Freeze
How to freeze your credit for free, how fast bureaus must place and lift it, when to thaw it, and how it compares with fraud alerts.
Credit freeze vs fraud alert planner
How a credit freeze works
A credit freeze (security freeze) stops new lenders from seeing your credit report, so nobody can open new credit in your name. It's free to place and lift at all three bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and it doesn't affect your credit score. You must freeze at each bureau separately.
How fast it has to happen
By law a bureau must place a freeze within one business day of an online or phone request (three business days by mail) and lift it within one hour of an online or phone request (CFPB). Thaw it temporarily before applying for a loan, card, apartment or job that checks credit; existing creditors and you can still see your report.
Freeze vs fraud alert
A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening credit. An initial alert lasts one year; an extended alert for identity theft victims lasts seven years. You can also freeze a child's credit. Checking how debts show up? See medical bills and your credit.
Common questions
Is a credit freeze free?
Yes, placing and lifting a freeze is free at all three bureaus.
How fast can I unfreeze my credit?
Within one hour of an online or phone request.
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No.
Sources
More loan and car calculators: Vehicle Refinance Calculator · Deferment · FAFSA Student Loans 2026-27
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General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.