Freezes and locks both make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name by restricting access to your credit report. The difference is mostly about the rules behind them: a freeze is a right under federal law; a lock is a product governed by a company's terms.
Key takeaways
- A credit freeze is free at each nationwide bureau by federal law and doesn't affect your scores.
- You must freeze separately at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- A lock works similarly but is offered under each provider's terms, sometimes free, sometimes paid.
- A fraud alert doesn't block access; it asks lenders to verify your identity first.
- Freezes don't stop existing creditors, and they don't prevent all fraud. Keep watching your reports.
Credit freeze
A security freeze restricts access to your credit report, which makes it harder to open new accounts in your name. Under federal law it's free to place and lift at each nationwide bureau (FTC), and it doesn't affect your credit scores. You'll need to freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately, and temporarily lift it when you apply for credit. Parents and guardians can also freeze a child's credit.
How to freeze and unfreeze
- 1Go to each bureau's official freeze page (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and create an account, or request by mail.
- 2Verify your identity and place the freeze. Requests made online or by phone must be placed within one business day.
- 3Save any PIN or login, since you'll need it to lift the freeze.
- 4Before applying for credit, ask the lender which bureau it uses and lift that freeze temporarily. Online or phone lifts must take effect within one hour.
How fast freezes take effect, by method
Security freezes have been free at the nationwide bureaus since September 21, 2018, under a federal law that also set deadlines for placing and lifting them (15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1(i)):
| Request | Online or by phone | By mail |
|---|---|---|
| Place a freeze | Within 1 business day | Within 3 business days |
| Lift (temporarily or permanently) | Within 1 hour | Within 3 business days |
If you know an application is coming, lift the freeze a day ahead and set it to resume automatically if the bureau offers that option. That way you don't forget to refreeze.
What a freeze doesn't block
A freeze stops most new creditors from seeing your report, but federal law lists uses it doesn't apply to (§ 1681c-1(i)(4)). Among them:
- Companies you already have an account with, and collectors working on those accounts, including for account reviews and limit increases.
- Government agencies, courts, and collectors acting under a court order, warrant, or subpoena; child support agencies; and certain fraud and tax investigations.
- Prescreened offers of credit or insurance. You can opt out of those separately.
- Credit monitoring services you've subscribed to, and your own requests for your report or score.
- Insurance underwriting, and employment, tenant, or background screening.
That's why a freeze is a strong defense against new-account fraud but not a complete shield. Keep reviewing your reports and statements.
Credit lock
A lock works similarly but is offered by bureaus and other providers under their own terms. Locks may be free or part of a paid product, and can often be turned on and off quickly from an app. Because a lock is a contract feature rather than a federal right, read the terms: what it covers, what it costs, and how disputes are handled.
Side by side
| Security freeze | Credit lock | Fraud alert | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis | Federal law (FCRA § 605A) | Provider's terms | Federal law (FCRA § 605A) |
| Cost | Free | Free or paid, depending on provider | Free |
| Blocks new-credit access? | Yes, for most new creditors | Yes, per the terms | No; lenders must verify identity |
| Where to place it | Each bureau separately | Each provider | One bureau, which notifies the others |
| Affects scores? | No | No | No |
| Duration | Until you lift it | Per the terms | 1 year initial; 7 years extended |
Fraud alerts
A fraud alert asks businesses to verify your identity before extending credit. An initial alert lasts one year; an extended alert lasts seven years with an identity theft report. Placing an alert at one bureau means that bureau must notify the other two. A fraud alert and a freeze can be used together.
Freezing a child's credit
Parents and guardians can place a free freeze for a child under 16, and guardians can do the same for an incapacitated adult. If the bureau doesn't have a file on the child, the law requires it to create a record so the freeze can be placed (§ 1681c-1(j)). Expect to provide proof of your identity, the child's identity, and your authority to act for them, such as a birth certificate.
A child's freeze stays until you or the child (once old enough) asks to remove it. It's a simple way to keep a clean file clean until your child is ready to open a first account.
Active-duty alerts for servicemembers
Servicemembers on active duty can place an active duty alert, which works like a fraud alert for 12 months and also removes them from prescreened offer lists for two years (§ 1681c-1(c)). It can be used alongside a freeze.
Questions to ask before relying on a lock
- Does it cover one bureau or all three?
- Is it free, or part of a paid subscription? What happens to the lock if you cancel?
- How quickly does it switch on and off, and what happens if the app is down when you need to apply?
- What does the agreement say about disputes, data use, and arbitration?
Many people use both: a freeze at all three bureaus as the free baseline, and convenience tools on top. CreditGod membership includes credit lock and identity tools; bureau freezes stay free and are always yours to place yourself.
Which should you use?
- Not applying for credit soon: a freeze at all three bureaus is the strongest free option.
- Suspect fraud but need credit access: start with a fraud alert, then consider a freeze.
- Confirmed identity theft: freeze, report at IdentityTheft.gov, and follow these steps.
- Want quick toggling: a lock can be convenient; just know the terms.
Neither stops existing creditors from seeing your report, prescreened offers, or fraud on accounts you already have, so keep monitoring. See the identity theft protection guide.
Prefer help with the legwork? CreditGod reads all three reports, flags items that may be inaccurate, and drafts disputes for your approval. You can always dispute for free on your own.
Frequently asked questions
Does freezing my credit hurt my score?
No. A freeze doesn't affect your credit scores, and you can still check your own credit.
Is a credit freeze really free?
Yes. Federal law requires the nationwide bureaus to place and lift security freezes for free.
Can I still use my credit cards with a freeze?
Yes. A freeze restricts new-credit access to your report. Existing accounts keep working normally.
How fast can I lift a freeze?
Requests made online or by phone must be honored within one hour. Mail requests can take up to three business days.
Can I freeze my child's credit?
Yes. A parent or guardian can place a free security freeze for a child under 16 at each nationwide bureau. If the child has no file, the bureau must create a record so the freeze can be placed.
Does a credit freeze stop prescreened offers?
No. Prescreening is one of the uses a freeze doesn't apply to. To reduce those offers, opt out separately through the bureaus' official prescreen opt-out site.
Is there a fraud alert for active-duty servicemembers?
Yes. An active duty alert lasts 12 months, asks lenders to verify identity before extending credit, and removes you from prescreened offer lists for two years.
Sources and further reading
This guide is general educational information, not legal or financial advice, and CreditGod is not a law firm. You can dispute inaccurate information with the credit bureaus yourself, for free. Only inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information can be disputed; results vary. Rules change, so check the CFPB, FTC, or a qualified professional about your situation. Read our editorial standards.