- A security freeze limits prospective creditors’ access to a credit file, which can help prevent new-account identity theft.
- Federal law gives consumers the right to place and remove freezes for free.
- A freeze does not stop use of existing accounts or every type of report access.
- You must contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately.
What a security freeze does, what it does not do and how to place or temporarily lift one with each credit reporting company. The examples below are explanatory, not product quotes or promises of approval, savings, coverage or investment performance.
What a freeze changes
When a freeze is active, a prospective creditor generally cannot access the frozen file to evaluate a new application. Because most lenders will not open an account without that access, a freeze can create a useful barrier against new-account fraud.
You can still review your own reports. Existing creditors and certain government, monitoring, employment, tenant-screening or insurance uses may be treated differently under applicable law.
Freeze, fraud alert and paid lock
| Tool | Core purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Security freeze | Restricts access for many new-credit decisions | Free by federal law |
| Fraud alert | Asks businesses to verify identity before new credit | Free |
| Credit lock | Commercial product that may be bundled with monitoring | May carry a fee |
The CFPB notes that paid locks are no more effective than the free security-freeze right.
How to manage the three freezes
- Go directly to each nationwide reporting company’s official freeze page.
- Use a strong, unique account credential and store recovery information safely.
- When applying for credit, ask which report the lender expects to use.
- Temporarily lift the relevant freeze for a defined period, then confirm it is active again.
What a freeze does not replace
Continue monitoring existing bank and card accounts, use unique passwords and respond to identity-theft notices. A freeze cannot reverse an unauthorized transaction, stop tax identity theft or prevent takeover of an existing account.
Use the guide for a documented decision
Before acting on Credit Freezes: What They Block and How to Manage Them, write down the facts that apply to your household: the current balance or coverage, the relevant deadline, the exact contract or account terms and the amount your budget can support. Then compare those facts with the official sources below and the latest documents from the institution, insurer, employer or government agency involved.
- Save the dated statement, disclosure, policy or plan document used in the comparison.
- Separate confirmed terms from estimates, marketing language and assumptions.
- Record the question that remains unresolved and who can answer it.
- Recheck the numbers after a rate, balance, income, law or household change.
Frequently asked questions
Does freezing a report affect a credit score?
A security freeze restricts access; it does not change the account history used to calculate a score.
Can I apply for an apartment with a freeze?
Tenant screening may use consumer reports outside the federal freeze rule. Ask the screening company or property manager what access is required.
How quickly can an online freeze be lifted?
The CFPB states that a nationwide reporting company generally must remove an online or telephone freeze within one hour of a valid request.
Sources and methodology
Primary official materials used for this guide. Checked July 28, 2026. Rules, limits and product terms can change.
- CFPB — What is a credit or security freeze? ↗Checked July 28, 2026
- FTC — IdentityTheft.gov recovery resources ↗Checked July 28, 2026