A credit freeze, sometimes called a security freeze, restricts access to your credit report so that lenders cannot pull it, which means a thief cannot open new accounts in your name. It is one of the strongest free tools against identity theft. Placing and lifting a freeze at each of the major credit bureaus is generally free, and it does not affect your credit score. The trade-off is that you must temporarily lift it when you yourself want new credit. This is general education, not personalized advice, so confirm the current process with each bureau.
How a credit freeze works
When you freeze your credit, the bureau restricts who can see your report. Most lenders will not approve a new account without checking a report, so a freeze effectively stops new accounts from being opened in your name, by you or anyone else. You place the freeze separately at each major bureau, and each gives you a way to manage it, often a PIN or an online account.
A freeze does not erase your report, change your score, or stop you from using existing cards and loans. It only governs new access, and it pairs well with knowing how to create a strong password to protect the rest of your accounts.
Freeze vs lock vs fraud alert
| Tool |
What it does |
Cost |
Best when |
| Credit freeze |
Restricts new access to your report |
Generally free |
You want strong, lasting protection |
| Credit lock |
Similar access control, often via an app |
May be tied to a paid service |
You value convenience and quick toggling |
| Fraud alert |
Tells lenders to verify your identity |
Free |
You suspect or fear fraud but want easier access |
A freeze and a lock are similar in effect; the differences are in how they are managed and whether a fee or service is attached. A fraud alert is lighter: it asks lenders to take extra verification steps rather than blocking access outright.
How to use one
- Contact each major credit bureau and place a freeze; do it at all of them, since lenders may check any.
- Save the credentials or PIN each bureau gives you securely.
- When you need new credit, temporarily lift (thaw) the freeze, then refreeze afterward.
- Consider freezing for family members whose identities you manage where allowed.
What to skip
- Skip the belief that a freeze stops all fraud. It does not protect accounts you already have; for those, monitor statements and use strong passwords.
- Skip paying for a freeze itself; placing and lifting one is generally free at the bureaus.
- Skip leaving credentials where they can be lost. You will need them to lift the freeze, sometimes under time pressure.
FAQ
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze only restricts access to your report; it does not change your score or remove information.
Is a credit freeze free?
Placing and lifting a freeze at each major bureau is generally free. Some paid services bundle locking with monitoring, but the basic freeze should not cost you.
Can I still use my existing cards with a freeze?
Yes. A freeze affects new credit applications, not the accounts you already hold. You can keep spending and paying as usual.
How do I apply for a loan if my credit is frozen?
You temporarily lift the freeze with the bureau the lender will check, complete the application, then refreeze. The process is designed to be reversible.
Where to go next
Learn what a hard inquiry is, understand what a good credit score is, and see how to build good credit.