How to Lock Your Credit Online — and Why You Should

Freeze your credit at all three bureaus to stop identity thieves from opening new accounts. Step-by-step and how to lift it.

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How to Lock Your Credit Online — and Why You Should

There's a powerful tool for protecting yourse‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍lf from identity theft that most people have never used — and it's completely free.

It's called a credit freeze (also known as a security freeze), and it's one of the best things you can do to stop a thief from opening new accounts in your name.

What Is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze locks your credit file at the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. When your credit is frozen:

Lenders cannot access your credit report to approve a new application
Even if a thief has your Social Security number, address, and date of birth, they cannot open a new credit card, loan, or account in your name
Your existing accounts are completely unaffected — you can still use your current credit cards and bank accounts normally

A credit freeze does not affect your credit score. It does not prevent you from checking your own credit. It simply puts a lock on new applications.

Why You Should Do This Now

Every year, millions of Americans have their personal information stolen in data breaches — from hospitals, retailers, insurance companies, and government agencies. Your Social Security number may already be available on the dark web without you knowing.

A credit freeze costs you nothing and takes about 15 minutes to set up. It remains active indefinitely until you choose to lift it.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends credit freezes as the most effective protection against new-account identity theft. Since 2018, they have been free for everyone by law.

How to Freeze Your Credit (Step by Step)

You must freeze your credit at all three bureaus separately. Here's how:

Equifax

Website: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze
Phone: 1-800-685-1111

Experian

Website: experian.com/freeze/center.html
Phone: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion

Website: transunion.com/credit-freeze
Phone: 1-888-909-8872

For each bureau, you'll need to provide:

Your name and address
Date of birth
Social Security number
A valid email address (for online)

After completing each freeze, you'll receive a PIN or password. Save these somewhere secure — you'll need them to lift the freeze temporarily if you ever apply for new credit.

How to Temporarily Lift a Freeze

When you want to apply for a new credit card, loan, or apartment, you can temporarily lift the freeze:

Contact the bureau(s) online or by phone
Provide your PIN or password
Specify the dates you want the freeze lifted (usually 1–7 days)
The freeze automatically reactivates after the window closes

Most lifts take effect within an hour online, or up to three business days by phone or mail.

What About a Credit Lock?

You may see options for a credit lock from the bureaus. This is similar to a freeze but is managed through an app. The key differences:

A freeze is the legally protected, government-mandated option — always free
A lock is a private product offered by the bureaus — may involve fees or upselling

For most people, the free credit freeze is the better choice.

Other Steps to Take While You're At It

Once your credit is frozen, consider these additional protections:

Check your free annual credit reports at annualcreditreport.com — the only federally authorized site for free reports
Set up fraud alerts (a lighter alternative to freezing, active for one year)
Monitor your existing accounts for unusual charges regularly
Use strong, unique passwords for your financial accounts