Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report
A credit freeze, formally known as a security freeze, is a free tool designed to stop prospective creditors from reviewing your credit reporting file. Because lenders and card issuers usually refuse to open new accounts without reviewing your file first, freezing your records stops an identity thief—and yourself—from opening new credit accounts under your name.
Step 1: Understand What a Security Freeze Does and Who Can Still Access Your File
Before initiating a freeze, it helps to understand how it alters access to your credit data. A security freeze does not impact your credit scores in any way whatsoever. Furthermore, while prospective creditors are blocked, federal rules permit a select group of entities to view your records even while a freeze remains active:
- Creditors of accounts you currently hold
- Certain government entities, including child support agencies
- Companies you have hired to monitor your credit file
In addition, you can still request, view, and inspect your own credit files whenever a freeze is active. However, keep in mind that federal rules requiring free security freezes do not apply to inquiries made for tenant-screening, employment, or insurance purposes. If you suspect fraudulent transactions on existing accounts rather than new credit applications, you may also need to take separate steps such as disputing a credit card charge with your card issuer.
Step 2: Submit Requests Directly to Each Credit Reporting Company
Federal rules require nationwide credit reporting companies to offer security freezes for free. However, submitting an application to one bureau does not cover the others. You must contact each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies separately by visiting their individual websites:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's credit freeze guide, the webpage for each nationwide consumer reporting company must also allow you to request an initial fraud alert, an extended fraud alert, and an active-duty fraud alert alongside a security freeze.
Step 3: Track Placement Deadlines and Written Confirmation
When you submit your application, nationwide credit reporting agencies must follow specific processing deadlines established by federal law:
- Telephone or secure electronic requests: The company must place the security freeze on your file within one business day after receiving your request.
- Mail requests: The company must put the security freeze in place no later than three business days after receiving your paperwork.
Once the freeze is active, the reporting company must mail you a written confirmation no later than five business days after placing the freeze. This written confirmation must provide instructions on how to remove the security freeze when you decide to do so.
Step 4: Lift or Remove the Freeze When Applying for New Credit
Because prospective lenders will reject credit applications if they cannot examine your file, you will need to lift the restriction whenever you apply for a loan, mortgage, or credit card. You can choose to remove the freeze completely or request a temporary lift for a specific timeframe that you select. Both complete removals and temporary lifts are entirely free of charge.
The timing requirements for lifting a freeze match the statutory deadlines outlined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:
- If requested via toll-free telephone or secure electronic means, the company must lift the freeze no later than one hour after receipt.
- If requested by postal mail, the company must lift the freeze no later than three business days after receiving your request.
Step 5: Request Security Freezes for Protected Consumers
Federal law includes specialized identity theft protections for individuals classified as protected consumers. This group includes individuals under the age of 16, incapacitated individuals, and individuals for whom a legal guardian has been appointed. Anyone holding legal authority to represent these protected consumers can submit a security freeze request on their behalf.
If a nationwide credit reporting agency does not already maintain a file for the protected consumer when a parent or guardian requests the freeze, the company is required to create a record specifically to freeze it. This newly established record cannot be utilized for credit purposes; its sole function is remaining frozen to safeguard the consumer against identity theft.
Sources
Published October 28, 2026. No affiliate links on this page. Facts come from the sources linked above; check them for updates.