Credit Freeze: Complete Setup Guide for All Three Bureaus
Credit freezes prevent new accounts from being opened in your name without your authorization. Federal law requires all three major credit bureaus to provide free credit freezes and unfreezes. Placing freezes at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion is the most effective protection against identity theft. This guide provides direct links and procedures for each bureau.
Prerequisites
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number
- Email address for online accounts at each bureau
Equifax Credit Freeze
Visit equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services or call 1-800-685-1111. Create an online account for fastest service. Provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Choose a unique PIN that you store securely. The freeze is placed immediately for online requests.
Experian Credit Freeze
Visit experian.com/freeze/center.html or call 1-888-397-3742. Create an account or sign in. Provide identifying information and place the freeze. Experian generates a PIN that you should save securely. Online freezes are placed immediately. Phone freezes may take several days.
TransUnion Credit Freeze
Visit transunion.com/credit-freeze or call 1-800-916-8800. Create a TransUnion account. Provide identifying information. Choose your PIN. TransUnion places freezes immediately for online accounts. Save your PIN in a secure location separate from devices that could be compromised.
Document and Store PINs Securely
Save the PINs from all three bureaus in a secure location like a password manager. You will need these PINs to temporarily lift freezes when applying for credit. Losing the PINs requires identity verification and additional time to recover. Keep PINs separate from your credit reports.
Tip: Store PINs in your password manager with each bureau as a separate entry, not in the same note as your other financial information.
Lift Freeze When Applying for Credit
When applying for new credit, you will need to temporarily lift the freeze at the bureau the lender uses. Most lenders disclose which bureau they use. You can lift a freeze for a specific time period or specific creditor. Online lifts at Equifax and TransUnion take effect within an hour. Experian may require slightly more time.
Add Alerts for Children
Children should also have credit freezes placed since their unused credit history makes them attractive targets for identity theft. Federal law requires all three bureaus to allow free credit freezes for minors. Procedures differ slightly and require additional documentation including birth certificate.