How and Why to Freeze Your Credit to Protect Against Identity Theft
- Seek & Shield
- Aug 26, 2025
- 2 min read
Locking (or “freezing”) your credit is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud, because it prevents new creditors from pulling your credit report unless you unlock it. Here’s how you can do it in the U.S.:
1. Understand the Difference
Credit Freeze (Lock): Legally restricts access to your credit reports. Free and permanent until you lift it.
Credit Lock (via apps): Similar, but offered by the bureaus as a service you can toggle on/off. Not always free, but faster to manage.
2. Place a Freeze with All Three Credit Bureaus
You must contact each bureau individually:
You’ll create an online account or request by phone/mail. They’ll give you a PIN or login you’ll use to temporarily lift the freeze when needed.
3. Consider Freezing at Additional Agencies
ChexSystems (bank account openings) – chexsystems.com
Innovis – innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze
4. Know When to Lift or Thaw a Freeze
If you’re applying for a loan, credit card, apartment, or utilities, you’ll need to temporarily lift the freeze for the specific creditor or time period.
This can usually be done instantly online.
5. Extra Fraud Protection Steps
Credit Monitoring: Optional, but can alert you if your existing accounts are compromised.
Fraud Alerts: Free 1-year alert placed with one bureau automatically applies to all three. This tells lenders to verify identity more carefully.
Annual Credit Report Check: Get your free reports at annualcreditreport.com and review for suspicious activity.
⚡ Tip: Freezing your credit does not affect your credit score, nor does it stop you from using existing credit cards or loans. It only blocks new accounts from being opened in your name.
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