Introduction

In my financial-advising practice I see a consistent pattern: consumers who take a few minutes to freeze their credit after a breach or a scare avoid weeks or months of recovery work. A credit freeze is one of the simplest, most effective steps you can take to prevent new-account identity theft. This guide shows how to freeze your credit profiles correctly, how to manage freezes over time, and when other protections (fraud alerts, credit monitoring, or locks) may make more sense.

Why a credit freeze matters

A credit freeze prevents most creditors and lenders from accessing your full credit file at the three major nationwide consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Because creditors typically need to review your credit report before approving a new account, a freeze makes it much harder for an identity thief to open credit in your name.

This protection is free for consumers under federal law (the law that made freezes free nationwide took effect in 2018) and it does not affect your credit score or your ability to use existing accounts (payments or charges on cards you already hold are unaffected) (FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freeze).

Key differences to remember

  • Credit freeze vs. fraud alert: A fraud alert tells businesses to take extra steps to verify your identity. It lasts one year (or seven years in some extended situations) but does not block report access; a freeze blocks most access (CFPB: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/).
  • Credit freeze vs. credit lock: A credit lock is a product offered by reporting agencies (often through apps) that can be easier to use, but locks are contractual and not covered the same way under federal law. If you want a no-cost, long-term legal right to block access, a statutory freeze is the clearer protection (see our related piece: Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock).

When to freeze your credit profiles

  • After a data breach affecting your personal data (SSN, DOB, account numbers).
  • If you suspect you’re a victim of identity theft or unauthorized account openings.
  • If you lose a wallet or important ID documents.
  • As a preventive measure if you don’t plan to apply for credit for an extended period.

Who can place a freeze

Any consumer with a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can request a freeze on their own credit file. Parents or guardians can request freezes for minor children; there is a separate process for minors and identity-theft victims — see the CFPB and FTC guidance (FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freeze; CFPB: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/).

Step-by-step: Freezing your credit profiles correctly

1) Prepare your documents

  • Full legal name, current address and previous addresses if you’ve moved in the last two years.
  • Social Security number (or ITIN).
  • Date of birth.
  • A copy of a government ID (driver’s license or passport) and proof of address if requested (utility bill or bank statement).

2) Contact each credit bureau separately

Do not assume a freeze with one bureau covers the others — you must place a freeze with all three if you want broader protection.

3) Choose the method that works for you

  • Online: fastest and easiest for most consumers; you’ll usually get an immediate confirmation and account credentials or PIN.
  • Phone: each bureau provides a number for freeze requests; phone requests are commonly available if you prefer speaking to an agent.
  • Mail: allowed, but slower. If you mail a request, keep copies and use tracked delivery.

4) Record your credentials and confirmation
Each bureau will provide either a PIN, password, or account confirmation. Treat these like a password — store them in a password manager or a secure location. If you lose the PIN, each bureau has a process to recover or reset it; losing access slows future thawing.

How to lift or temporarily thaw a freeze

When you need to apply for new credit, you have three options:

  • Temporarily lift (thaw) the freeze for a specific time frame.
  • Lift the freeze for a specific creditor using the lender’s name and a time limit.
  • Permanently remove the freeze.

Most bureaus let you lift a freeze online or by phone using the PIN/password you were given. If you don’t plan to apply for credit right away, plan the lift in advance so lenders can process your application without delays.

Special situations and additional protections

Identity-theft victims
If you’re a confirmed identity-theft victim, you can file an Identity Theft Report with the FTC, which helps when disputing fraudulent accounts and may qualify you for an extended fraud alert and other remedies (FTC: https://www.identitytheft.gov/). Many identity-theft recovery plans also recommend placing freezes on all three files immediately.

Minors and dependent people
Minors and people without credit histories can be especially vulnerable. A parent or guardian can place a freeze on a child’s report and will need to provide proof of parentage and the child’s identifying information. See bureau-specific instructions for the documentation required.

Businesses and spouses
Business credit files are separate — a consumer freeze won’t affect business credit. If you’re added as an authorized user on a spouse’s account, existing credit access usually continues even with a freeze in place.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Freezing only one bureau. If you’ve frozen only Experian, for example, a thief could still try to open accounts that use TransUnion or Equifax.
  • Losing the thaw PIN or password. Secure it in a password manager.
  • Assuming a freeze stops all fraud. A freeze doesn’t block misuse of existing accounts, medical identity theft, or tax fraud, so pair a freeze with account monitoring.
  • Forgetting to lift the freeze before applying for credit. Give yourself at least a day to lift the freeze online; if you must mail a request, allow additional processing time.

Practical tips from practice

  • Use a password manager for all freeze PINs and two-factor authentication on the bureau accounts.
  • Set a calendar reminder to review your freeze settings yearly. If you plan to apply for mortgages, auto loans, or student loans, temporarily lift the freeze before you start the application process.
  • For a major credit application (mortgage), consider temporarily lifting the freeze for a specific lender using the lender’s exact company name to avoid repeated lifts.

Managing ongoing monitoring and recovery

A credit freeze is one layer. Continue to monitor bank and credit-card statements, enable alerts for new transactions, and get free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/). If you see suspicious activity, act quickly: dispute errors with the creditor and the credit bureau, and document all communications.

Useful links and internal resources

Authoritative sources

Professional disclaimer

This article is educational and reflects best practices in consumer credit protection as of 2025. It does not substitute for individualized legal, tax, or financial advice. If you have suffered identity theft or complex fraud, consult a certified financial counselor, attorney, or the appropriate government agency for personalized next steps.

Closing

A properly placed credit freeze is low-cost, low-effort, and high-impact protection against new-account fraud. Do it with all three bureaus, record your credentials securely, and pair the freeze with monitoring and careful account management to create a durable defense against identity theft.