Protecting your bank account is only half the job. If criminals get hold of your personal details, they can try to open new accounts, take out loans, or apply for credit in your name, and your existing bank security will not stop that.
A credit freeze is one of the strongest and simplest defences, and in the US it is free. This guide explains how it works, how to set it up, and what options exist elsewhere.
This article is part of our full series on protecting your bank account from hackers.
What is a credit freeze?
A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, restricts access to your credit report. Most lenders check your credit report before approving a new loan or card. If your report is frozen, they cannot see it, so they generally cannot approve new credit in your name. That makes it very hard for an identity thief to open accounts using your details.
What a freeze does and does not do
- It does: Make it much harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name.
- It does not: Stop someone from using your existing accounts or cards. For that, you need the protections in our guide to locking your bank account and cards.
- It does not affect your credit score, and you can still use your existing cards and loans as normal.
- It does not stop you from applying for credit yourself. You simply lift it temporarily first.
Credit freeze vs fraud alert vs credit lock (US)
| Option | What it does | Cost |
| Credit freeze | Blocks most lenders from viewing your credit report until you lift it | Free by law |
| Fraud alert | Asks lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening credit | Free |
| Credit lock | A similar block offered by the bureaus, managed through an app, often as part of a product | May be free or paid, with different legal protections than a freeze |
For most people, the freeze is the strongest option because it is backed by law and does not depend on a company’s product terms.
How to freeze your credit in the United States
The US has three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze must be placed with each one separately. Under federal law, placing and lifting a freeze is free.
- Go to each bureau’s official website. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a search ad, because fake sites exist.
- Create an account or log in. You will need to confirm your identity with personal details such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
- Choose the option to place a security freeze.
- Save your PIN or login details securely, for example in a password manager. You will need them to lift the freeze later.
- Repeat with the other two bureaus.
- Confirm each freeze by checking the confirmation message or your online account.
You can also place a freeze by phone or by post. Check each bureau’s official website for the current contact details.
How to temporarily lift a freeze
When you need to apply for a mortgage, a car loan, a new credit card, or even sometimes a new phone contract or rental, you can lift the freeze for a set period or for a specific lender. Log in to the relevant bureau’s site, choose the option to temporarily lift or “thaw” the freeze, and set the dates. Online and phone requests are generally processed quickly. After that, the freeze goes back on, or you can re-freeze it yourself.
Other identity protection steps in the US
- Check your credit reports. You can get free reports from the three bureaus through the official site AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN. This helps prevent someone filing a tax return using your Social Security number.
- Report identity theft at the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov, which helps you build a recovery plan.
- Review your statements regularly for charges you do not recognise.
What UK readers can do
The UK does not have a credit freeze like the US system, but there are strong alternatives:
- Protective Registration with Cifas. This is a paid service that flags your details so that organisations carry out extra checks when someone applies for credit in your name.
- Check your credit reports with the main credit reference agencies. Statutory reports are free, and many providers offer free access to your file.
- Set up alerts for changes to your credit file.
- Report fraud to Action Fraud and your bank, and notify the credit reference agencies if you are a victim.
What readers elsewhere in Europe can do
Rules vary widely across European countries, and there is no single freeze system. Check with your national credit bureau or data protection authority about what protection they offer, such as access to your credit file, fraud flags or alerts. If you are a victim of identity theft, report it to your local police and your bank straight away.
How to reduce the risk of identity theft in the first place
- Use unique passwords and a password manager.
- Enable strong login protection as explained in our guide to two-factor authentication and passkeys.
- Be careful what you share online and over the phone.
- Shred or securely dispose of documents containing personal information.
- Learn how criminals trick people by reading our guide to common bank scams.
What if you are already a victim of identity theft?
Act quickly. Freeze your credit if you are in the US, report the fraud to the authorities in your country, and contact your bank. Our guide to what to do if your bank account is hacked walks you through the full emergency plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze does not affect your score, and you can still use your existing accounts normally.
Is a credit freeze really free?
In the US, yes. Federal law makes it free to place and lift a freeze with each of the three credit bureaus.
Do I need to freeze all three bureaus?
Yes. Each bureau holds its own file, and a lender may check any one of them, so freeze all three for full protection.
Can I still apply for a loan if my credit is frozen?
Yes, but you will need to lift the freeze temporarily first so the lender can check your report.
How long does a freeze last?
A freeze generally stays in place until you choose to lift it. Keep your PIN or login details safe so you can manage it later.
A credit freeze takes about fifteen minutes to set up and gives you strong, free protection against one of the most damaging kinds of fraud. Combined with locked cards, strong login security and scam awareness, it makes you a very difficult target.
