Free · takes about 15 minutes · all 3 bureaus

How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Bureaus

A credit freeze is the single strongest way to stop someone from opening new credit in your name — it’s free, and it doesn’t affect your score. Here are the official links, numbers, and steps for each bureau.

It’s freeFreezing and unfreezing are free at all three bureaus, by federal law.
It won’t hurt your scoreA freeze has no effect on your credit score — it only blocks new-credit access.
Do all threeEach bureau is separate, so you’ll freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
0of 3 bureaus frozen. Tick each one off as you go — your progress is saved on this device.

Freeze at each bureau

Use each bureau’s own free tool below. You’ll create a login or PIN you’ll need later to lift the freeze, so keep it somewhere safe.

EquifaxFree
  1. Open Equifax’s official freeze page and create or sign in to a myEquifax account.
  2. Choose “Place a freeze” and confirm your identity.
  3. Save your account login (you’ll use it to lift the freeze later).
Freeze at Equifax → or call 1-800-685-1111
ExperianFree
  1. Open Experian’s official freeze center and create or sign in to your account.
  2. Add a security freeze and verify your identity.
  3. Save the PIN/credentials Experian gives you for lifting the freeze.
Freeze at Experian → or call 1-888-397-3742
TransUnionFree
  1. Open TransUnion’s official freeze page and create or sign in to your account.
  2. Select a credit freeze and confirm your identity.
  3. Save your login so you can temporarily lift the freeze when needed.
Freeze at TransUnion → or call 1-800-916-8800

Not sure a freeze is right? Consider a fraud alert

Fraud alert — lighter, one call

A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps to verify it’s really you before opening credit. It’s free, and you only contact one bureau — they’re required to notify the other two. An initial alert lasts one year; identity-theft victims with a report can get an extended seven-year alert.

A freeze is stronger (it blocks access outright); a fraud alert is easier (no unfreezing to apply for credit). Many people who’ve had their data exposed use both.

How to unfreeze (“thaw”) when you need credit

A freeze stays until you lift it. To apply for a loan, card, apartment, or job that checks credit, sign in to each bureau (or call) and lift the freeze — you can lift it for a specific creditor or a set time window, then it re-freezes. Lifting is free and usually takes minutes online.

A few more free protections

AnnualCreditReport.comYour free reports → IdentityTheft.govFTC recovery plan → InnovisA 4th bureau — freeze too →

You can also freeze your credit for a child or another family member you’re responsible for — a smart move against child identity theft.

Common questions

Is freezing your credit really free?
Yes. Under federal law, placing and lifting a credit freeze is free at all three nationwide bureaus — for you and for your dependents. If a site asks you to pay to freeze, you’re in the wrong place; use the official bureau links above.
Does a credit freeze hurt your credit score?
No. A freeze has no effect on your credit score. It simply restricts access to your credit file so a lender generally can’t open new accounts in your name until you lift it. Your existing accounts and your score are unaffected.
What’s the difference between a freeze, a fraud alert, and a credit lock?
A freeze is the strongest and is free — it blocks new-credit access until you lift it. A fraud alert is free and warns lenders to verify your identity, but doesn’t block access. A credit lock is often a paid product from a bureau that works similarly to a freeze but is governed by the bureau’s terms rather than federal law. For most people, the free freeze plus a fraud alert covers it.
How do I unfreeze my credit to apply for a loan or apartment?
Sign in to each bureau (or call) and temporarily lift the freeze. You can usually lift it for a specific creditor or for a set window of time, after which it re-freezes automatically. Lifting is free and is typically instant online — just remember to do it at the bureau the lender will check, or at all three if you’re not sure.
Should I freeze my child’s credit?
If you’re a parent or guardian, you can freeze a minor’s credit for free. Children are common identity-theft targets precisely because no one is watching their credit, so a freeze is a low-effort, high-value protection.

Frozen up? Make sure nothing’s already wrong.

A freeze stops new damage. These free next steps help you catch anything already in motion — and understand what’s on your report.

Check if your info was exposed →Free breach check against known data breaches. Keep watch →See your scores and report, and get monitoring alerts. Talk to a specialist →A free 15-minute review of what’s on your credit report.
Sources & your rights: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — credit freezes and fraud alerts; the three nationwide credit bureaus’ official freeze tools (linked above); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Freezes and fraud alerts are free under federal law. Always use the bureaus’ own official pages — WhyDenied does not place or manage the freeze for you. This is general education, not legal advice.