How to Freeze Your Credit at All Three Bureaus

A credit freeze is one of the single most effective things you can do to prevent identity theft. It blocks lenders from accessing your credit report, which means criminals can't open new accounts in your name — even if they have your Social Security number. Best of all, it's completely free and takes about 15 minutes to set up at all three major bureaus.

How a Credit Freeze Works

When you freeze your credit, the credit bureau locks your file so that no one — including you — can open new credit accounts until the freeze is lifted. Lenders who can't check your credit report won't approve new applications, which stops identity thieves in their tracks.

A freeze does not affect:

• Your credit score
• Your existing accounts (credit cards, loans, etc.)
• Your ability to check your own credit report
• Pre-approved credit offers (use optoutprescreen.com to stop those separately)

Freeze at All Three Major Bureaus

You must freeze your credit separately at each bureau. If you only freeze one or two, lenders can still pull your report from the unfrozen bureau.

Equifax

• Online: Create a myEquifax account at equifax.com and select "Place a Freeze"
• Phone: (888) 298-0045 (live agent) or (800) 349-9960 (automated)
• Mail: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

Equifax no longer requires a PIN — you manage your freeze through your account login.

Experian

• Online: Go to experian.com, log in or create an account, navigate to "Security Freeze," and toggle to frozen
• Phone: (888) 397-3742
• Mail: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

Experian lets you schedule a thaw with specific dates and will automatically refreeze when the window closes.

TransUnion

• Online: Create a TransUnion Service Center account at transunion.com/credit-freeze (also available via their mobile app)
• Phone: (800) 916-8800
• Mail: TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

TransUnion allows you to schedule a temporary lift up to 15 days in advance.

Don't Forget the Lesser-Known Bureaus

Most guides stop at the big three, but identity thieves know about these gaps. Freeze these too:

Innovis (the "Fourth Bureau")

Many subprime lenders, auto dealers, and specialty creditors check Innovis.

• Online: innovis.com/securityFreeze/index
• Phone: (800) 540-2505

Innovis issues a 10-digit PIN that you'll need to manage your freeze.

NCTUE (National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange)

This is the database that utility companies, phone carriers, and cable providers check. Identity thieves can open fraudulent cell phone or utility accounts through this bureau.

• Online: nctue.com/consumer/
• Phone: (866) 349-5355

ChexSystems

Used by approximately 80% of U.S. banks to screen checking and savings account applications.

• Online: chexsystems.com/security-freeze
• Phone: (800) 428-2320

How to Temporarily Lift a Freeze

When you need to apply for credit, you can temporarily thaw your freeze:

• By date range: Specify a start and end date. The freeze automatically reinstates when the window closes.
• By specific creditor: Some bureaus let you lift the freeze only for a named lender, keeping everyone else blocked.

Practical tips for thawing:

• Ask the lender which bureau(s) they pull — many only check one, so you can keep the others frozen
• For mortgage applications, expect to lift at all three since mortgage lenders typically pull tri-merge reports
• Set the temporary window for 7–10 days to give yourself breathing room
• Online and phone lifts must be processed within 1 hour by law; mail requests take up to 3 business days

Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock

Some bureaus offer a "credit lock" as a paid alternative. Here's the difference:

• Credit freeze: Free, protected by federal law, gives you legal recourse if the bureau makes a mistake
• Credit lock: Can cost up to $24.99/month, governed only by the bureau's terms of service, may include perks like credit monitoring

For most people, the free credit freeze provides the same core protection. Don't pay for a lock unless you specifically need the added features.

Take Action Today

Freezing your credit takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing. There's no reason not to do it. Combined with PrivacyOn's data removal service — which keeps your personal information off the data broker sites where identity thieves find their targets — you'll have a strong two-layer defense against identity theft.