How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit report | USAGov (2024)

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How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit report | USAGov? ›

Place or lift a credit freeze

To remove a credit freeze from your account, contact the credit bureau where you've had your credit frozen. You may do this online, by phone or by mail. Read about how to unfreeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Security freezes must be placed separately at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus.

A freeze can give you a false sense of security — you may still be susceptible to credit fraud or other fraud involving your Social Security number. A credit freeze won't affect your current accounts, but if a thief steals the information on an existing account, your credit may be used without your permission.

The three major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion —sometimes promote their credit lock services. However, there are key differences between the two services. Credit locks can carry a monthly fee, while credit freeze options are free.

A credit freeze is free and prevents lenders from checking your credit in order to open a new account.

Online or by phone: agencies must lift the freeze within one hour. By mail: agencies must lift the freeze within three business days.

All three of the major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian — require that you set up accounts to freeze or unfreeze your credit online. You can also unfreeze your credit with each bureau by mail or by speaking with their customer service departments.

If you're looking to apply for a loan or credit card, you will need to unfreeze your credit report. You'll have to unfreeze your credit report individually with each credit bureau. However, if you know which bureau a creditor is using, you can just unfreeze that one.

At Equifax, you can manage your freeze online with your username and password after creating a myEquifax account. You can also manage your freeze by phone: call us at (888) 298-0045. You'll be required to give certain information to verify your identity.

How do I place a security freeze with Experian? ›

If you don't have an account, you can create a free Experian account to access a security freeze online. You can also request a security freeze on your credit file by phone at 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) or by mailing a request to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.

Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen.

A common misconception is that a credit freeze means you can't use your current forms of credit, like a credit card. But your credit report isn't accessed when you purchase something with a credit card. So, freezing your credit file doesn't affect your ability to use your existing accounts.

The fastest and easiest way to remove a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is through a secure online account, but you can also thaw your credit by mail or by phone.

If you plan on applying for new accounts soon and you're worried that your identity is compromised, a fraud alert might be sufficient. Otherwise, a credit freeze can offer more security, but it comes with the downside of an extra step each time you want to apply for credit.

Freezing your credit is a way to limit most access to your credit file at each of the three credit bureaus for free. Each bureau offers multiple ways to place a credit freeze (also known as a security freeze), including online and in-app options.

First, you can contact the Social Security Administration by phone at 800-772-1213 and request to block electronic access to your Social Security information. This process prevents anyone — including you — from changing or accessing your Social Security record.

You have the right to request a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, with Experian online, by phone or by mail. If you have an online account with Experian, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit file by simply logging in to your account and toggling the freeze status to frozen or unfrozen.

Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen.