How to Freeze Your Credit

5 Min Read | Last updated: January 7, 2025

A young woman operating tablet on how to freeze credit

This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.

Learn how to freeze your credit online for free. See what information you may need to freeze your credit at all three credit bureaus.

At-A-Glance

Freezing your credit at all three credit bureaus can be a straightforward process.
You can freeze your credit online, by phone, or by mail.
Freezing your credit can limit access to your credit reports, which can help prevent people from fraudulently opening accounts in your name.

In this article, we’ll explain what a credit freeze is and look at situations when it makes sense to freeze your credit and how you can go about doing so.

What Is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, may allow you to take action to help prevent creditors from gaining access to your credit reports from Experian^®, TransUnion^®, and Equifax^®. By freezing your credit, credit bureaus may not release your report to creditors who want to check your credit as part of the application process for credit cards and loans. This can help to prevent new credit accounts from being opened fraudulently in your name.

When Should You Freeze Your Credit?

Wondering if you should freeze your credit? If your personal information has been compromised in a data breach, or if you suspect that someone may be trying to use your information fraudulently, then a credit freeze can be a crucial step in helping to safeguard your financial information.

However, even if your data hasn’t been compromised, freezing your credit could be a good proactive move that can help safeguard your data. If you’re not actively shopping for new credit or a loan and don’t plan to for some time, then freezing your credit could be a wise move.¹

While freezing your credit may not offer a complete guarantee against identity theft or fraud, it may be an important step nonetheless as it can help to prevent fraudulent accounts from being opened in your name.

Freezing your credit can cost nothing, and it may not impact your credit score. Additionally, when you’re ready, you can unfreeze your reports at any time.

How to Freeze Your Credit with the Credit Bureaus

If you choose to freeze your credit, you may want to do so at each of the three main credit bureaus. You can initiate a credit freeze online, or via phone or mail, but online may be the fastest option.

Here’s a look at how you may freeze your credit at each of the different bureaus. Note that information can change, so you can visit the relevant credit bureau websites to ensure that the information is up to date.

How to Freeze Your Credit

Credit Bureau:	Experian	Equifax	TransUnion
Phone Number:	888-397-3742	888-298-0045	800-916-8800
Online:	Experian Website	Equifax Website	TransUnion Website
Address:	Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013	Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788	TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094

How to Freeze Your Credit with Experian

You can freeze your credit with Experian by visiting the Experian website.²

To get started, you can set up an account which may require the following information:

Your phone number
The last four digits of your Social Security number

Note that you may need to provide additional information as well.

You can also freeze your credit with Experian by calling: 888-397-3742.

Or by mail, using the following address:

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

How to Freeze Your Credit with Equifax

To freeze your credit with Equifax, you can start by visiting the Equifax website.³

You can start the process by completing a form, which may require the following information:

Your name
Your address
Your Social Security number or ITIN
Your mobile number
Your date of birth

You can also freeze your credit with Equifax by calling: 888-298-0045.

Or by mail, using the following address:

Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

How to Freeze Your Credit with TransUnion

You can freeze your credit with TransUnion by visiting the TransUnion website.⁴

You may start by creating a free account, where you can provide information about yourself including the following:

First name
Middle name
Last name
Address
Email
Mobile number
Date of birth
Last four digits of your Social Security number

You can also freeze your credit with TransUnion by calling: 800-916-8800.

Or by mail, using the following address:

TransUnion
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Frequently Asked Questions

Identity theft can happen when someone uses your personal information, like your Social Security number or credit card details, without your consent for fraud. To keep yourself safe, it can be a good idea to regularly monitor your accounts, use strong passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication when it’s available. It may also be a good idea to consider freezing your credit as a proactive step if you’re not planning on opening any new credit accounts any time soon.

A credit freeze can restrict access to your credit report and help to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name, but it may not affect your existing credit accounts. You can continue to use your credit cards as usual.

Freezing your credit may not impact your credit score. Instead, it can restrict access to your credit report, preventing new accounts from being opened in your name.

The Takeaway

Freezing your credit can be a good step toward safeguarding your financial information, especially if your information has been compromised. The process of freezing your credit at all three of the credit bureaus may be relatively straightforward and can cost you nothing. Just keep in mind that you may need to unfreeze your credit at all three credit bureaus when you’re ready to apply for credit once again.

¹ “How to Freeze Your Credit with All 3 Bureaus, How to Unfreeze,” NerdWallet

^2,3,4 “How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Credit Bureaus,” Experian

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Mike Azzara has covered technology and financial services issues for more than 30 years as a writer, editor, publisher, consultant, and analyst for media brands, startups, and established corporations.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.