How to Freeze Your Credit:
By OnlineSafetyGuide.com Editorial Team · Last updated: February 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy
A credit freeze is free, permanent until you lift it, and one of the most effective single steps you can take against new account fraud.
Federal Trade Commission — Consumer Advice
A credit freeze — sometimes called a security freeze — is one of the most effective defences against identity theft available to any family, and it costs nothing to use.
When you freeze your credit, lenders cannot access your credit file to approve a new account. If a criminal has your Social Security number, date of birth, and address — all of which may already be available through data broker sites or past breaches — a credit freeze stops them opening new credit cards, personal loans, or car finance in your name.
This guide covers how to freeze credit at all three major bureaus, how to do it remotely on behalf of an elderly parent, how to temporarily unfreeze when you need to, and — critically — what a credit freeze does not protect against. That last part is what most guides miss.
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What a Credit Freeze Actually Does
When you request a credit freeze at a bureau, that bureau adds a flag to your credit file. Any lender who runs a credit check — which is required before approving any new credit account — receives an error rather than a report. The application fails.
The freeze applies only to new credit applications. It does not affect:
Existing credit cards or loan accounts
Your ability to check your own credit report
Your credit score
Employer background checks (these typically use a different process)
Existing account monitoring or bank transactions
A freeze is free under federal law. It remains in place permanently until you choose to lift it. You can unfreeze temporarily for a specific purpose — applying for a mortgage, for example — and re-freeze afterwards.
KEY POINT
You need to freeze your credit at all three bureaus separately. A freeze at Equifax does not freeze your Experian or TransUnion file. A lender checks only one bureau — if that bureau is frozen but another isn't, some applications may still go through.
Step-by-Step: How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Bureaus
Each bureau has its own online portal. The process takes approximately 5 minutes per bureau. You will need: your Social Security number, your home address, and your date of birth.
Equifax Credit Freeze
Go to: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Create a myEquifax account if you don't have one (or log in)
Navigate to "Credit Report Services" → "Place a Security Freeze"
Verify your identity using SSN, date of birth, and address
Confirm the freeze — you will receive a confirmation email
Keep the PIN or confirmation number you receive (needed to unfreeze)
You can also call Equifax: 1-800-349-9960
Experian Credit Freeze
Go to: experian.com/freeze/center.html
Select "Add a Security Freeze"
Create or log in to your Experian account
Enter your personal information to verify identity
Confirm the freeze — you will receive a confirmation
Experian issues a PIN — store this securely
You can also call Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion Credit Freeze
Go to: transunion.com/credit-freeze
Create a TransUnion account if you don't have one (or log in)
Select "Add Freeze"
Verify identity using personal information
Confirm — you will receive a confirmation number or PIN
TransUnion also has a mobile app that makes this straightforward
You can also call TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872
TIP
Do all three bureaus in one sitting. It takes 15–20 minutes total and then you're done. Use a password manager to store the confirmation PINs — you'll need them when you want to unfreeze.
How to Freeze Credit for an Elderly Parent Remotely
If your parent doesn't manage online accounts confidently, you have two options:
Option A: Walk them through it by phone or video call
All three bureaus have phone lines and online portals that are straightforward to navigate. If you have a video call with your parent, you can guide them through the process screen-by-screen. Budget 30–45 minutes for all three bureaus.
Before the call, have their Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and previous address (sometimes requested for identity verification) ready to confirm.
Option B: Do it in person on their next visit
If your parent visits you — or if you visit them — set aside 20 minutes to complete all three freezes together. Bring a notepad to write down confirmation numbers and PINs. Take a photo of the confirmation screen for each bureau.
Option C: By post (no internet access)
All three bureaus accept credit freeze requests by mail. You will need to send a written request with a copy of two forms of government ID (passport, driver's license) and proof of address. This takes longer — typically 5–10 business days — but is available for those who prefer not to use the internet.
Mailing addresses:
Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094
How to Temporarily Unfreeze (When You Need Credit)
If your parent needs to apply for a new credit card, finance a car, or apply for any product that requires a credit check, they need to temporarily lift the freeze at the relevant bureau. Lenders typically tell you which bureau they check — or you can lift all three to be safe.
17. Log in to the bureau's portal (or call their number)
18. Authenticate using your PIN or account password
19. Select "Temporarily Lift Freeze"
20. Enter the date range you want the freeze lifted (can be as short as one day)
21. Apply for the credit product during the window
22. The freeze reinstates automatically at the end of the window
The temporary lift is free and takes effect within one hour online (up to 3 business days by phone).
What a Credit Freeze Does NOT Protect Against
This is the section most credit freeze guides leave out — and it is the most important part for families with elderly parents.
A credit freeze stops new credit applications. It does not monitor or protect against:
Risk
What a Credit Freeze Cannot Do
Existing account fraud
A freeze does not protect accounts you already have. A criminal who gains access to your bank account, existing credit card, or investment account can still transact.
Dark web exposure
If your SSN, address, or date of birth appears on a dark web marketplace, a freeze does not detect or remove it. Your data is still out there — it simply cannot be used to open new credit accounts.
Tax fraud
A criminal can file a fraudulent tax return using your SSN regardless of any credit freeze. The IRS does not check credit bureaus.
Medical
identity fraud
Your health insurance details and medical identity can be misused for fraudulent claims without triggering a credit check.
Benefits fraud
Fraudulent claims for government benefits (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) do not require a credit check.
Bank account takeover
If a criminal gets into your bank account, a credit freeze provides no protection.
Address change fraud
USPS mail diversion scams redirect your post to a criminal's address. A credit freeze doesn't catch this.
This is why a credit freeze, while valuable, is most effective as one part of a layered approach — not as a complete solution.
THE GAP
A credit freeze blocks new credit fraud. Identity monitoring watches for everything else: existing account activity, dark web exposure, tax fraud signals, address changes, and SSN usage. The two are designed to work together.
The Next Step: Identity Monitoring to Cover What a Freeze Doesn't
Once you have placed a credit freeze, the logical next step is to add monitoring that watches for the risks a freeze cannot address.
Identity monitoring services track:
Your personal data on dark web marketplaces and breach databases
Existing bank and investment account activity
Address changes and mail diversion attempts
SSN usage in new contexts that a credit freeze doesn't block
Social Security benefit account changes
Of the services we've reviewed, Aura offers the broadest monitoring across these categories for families. The family plan covers up to 5 adults and unlimited children — practical if you want to cover both yourself and an elderly parent on one subscription.
The combination of a credit freeze and identity monitoring gives you what many security experts describe as the most complete practical protection available to individual consumers.
Freeze done? Add monitoring for the risks a freeze can't cover. Aura monitors your whole family.
Try Aura Free for 14 Days →
Aura covers dark web, existing accounts, SSN monitoring, and breach alerts — everything a credit freeze misses.
OnlineSafetyGuide.com editorial review, 2026.
Full review: /aura-review-2026
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert: What's the Difference?
A fraud alert is a less restrictive alternative to a credit freeze. It doesn't block credit checks — it just requires lenders to take extra steps to verify identity before approving a new account.
A credit freeze is the stronger protection. A fraud alert:
Is free to place (same as a freeze)
Lasts 1 year (vs. permanent for a freeze)
Requires lenders to verify your identity — but does not block the check entirely
Can be placed at one bureau, and that bureau is required to notify the other two
For most families, a credit freeze is the better choice. A fraud alert is a reasonable option if you need to apply for credit frequently and find unfreezing inconvenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A credit freeze has no effect on your credit score. It does not affect your existing accounts, and lenders who already have a relationship with you can still access your file for account management purposes.
Under federal law (the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018), a credit freeze is permanent and free — it remains until you choose to lift it. There is no expiry date and no renewal process.
Not via online self-service — each individual must authenticate using their own personal information. You can walk them through the process by phone, video call, or in person. The by-mail option is also available. There is no authorized representative process for adults without power of attorney.
A: For children under 16, you can request a credit freeze as a parent or guardian — and it's a good idea. Children have clean credit files that criminals value specifically because the theft goes undetected for years (children don't check their credit). Contact each bureau directly for the process for minor children, as it requires additional documentation.
A credit freeze is a strong and worthwhile step. But as the table above shows, it does not protect against existing account fraud, dark web exposure, tax fraud, or medical identity fraud. Most security professionals recommend combining a credit freeze with ongoing identity monitoring for comprehensive coverage.
A credit freeze is a blocking mechanism — it prevents new credit accounts being opened. Identity monitoring is a detection mechanism — it watches for your personal data being exposed or used, across a much wider range of threats than a credit freeze addresses. They serve different and complementary purposes.
Complete the Picture: Add Identity Monitoring After Your Freeze
Aura monitors what a credit freeze can't: dark web exposure, existing account activity, SSN usage, and more. Covers your whole family on one plan.
[ Try Aura Free for 14 Days → ]
14-day free trial · No credit card required · Family plan covers up to 5 adults and unlimited children