Identity theft remains a rising issue for consumers. In the first three quarters of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported that a staggering 1.15 million people were victims of identity theft.Proactively freezing your credit is one of the best defenses against thieves who want to open fake accounts in your name.A credit freeze blocks lenders from accessing your credit report, and since new accounts typically require a credit check, that makes it much harder for identity thieves to open accounts fraudulently. It’s important to note that freezing your credit will not affect your credit score and you can still use your current credit cards.How to freeze your credit To freeze your credit, you will need to contact the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. There are three ways to do that: online, phone or through the mail. Freezing your credit onlineFreezing your credit online is the easiest and fastest way. Go directly to each bureau’s official website and look for the “security freeze” or “credit freeze” section. Experian: https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/ Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freezeThen, you’ll need to create a free account and submit your request, which is processed within one business day.Freezing your credit by phoneFreezing your credit by phone also takes about one business day to process. Experian: 1-888-397-3742Equifax: 1-888-378-4329TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800Freezing your credit by mailFreezing your credit by mail typically takes longer to process, as requests are typically processed in about three business days. Experian: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX, 75013Equifax: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788TransUnion: TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA, 19094What freezing your credit doesn’t doKeep in mind, a credit freeze stops new lenders from opening lines of credit in your name, but that also means even when you apply. So if you need to do something like get a new credit card or loan, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit first. It’s also important to note that a credit freeze does not prevent fraud on your existing accounts. Scammers can still do things like steal your physical credit cards, skim account numbers, and take over your online accounts, which is why it is important to routinely monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any signs of fraud. Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com
Identity theft remains a rising issue for consumers. In the first three quarters of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported that a staggering 1.15 million people were victims of identity theft.
Proactively freezing your credit is one of the best defenses against thieves who want to open fake accounts in your name.
A credit freeze blocks lenders from accessing your credit report, and since new accounts typically require a credit check, that makes it much harder for identity thieves to open accounts fraudulently.
It’s important to note that freezing your credit will not affect your credit score and you can still use your current credit cards.
How to freeze your credit
To freeze your credit, you will need to contact the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
There are three ways to do that: online, phone or through the mail.
Freezing your credit online
Freezing your credit online is the easiest and fastest way. Go directly to each bureau’s official website and look for the “security freeze” or “credit freeze” section.
Experian: https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/
Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Then, you’ll need to create a free account and submit your request, which is processed within one business day.
Freezing your credit by phone
Freezing your credit by phone also takes about one business day to process.
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
Equifax: 1-888-378-4329
TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800
Freezing your credit by mail
Freezing your credit by mail typically takes longer to process, as requests are typically processed in about three business days.
Experian: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX, 75013
Equifax: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
TransUnion: TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA, 19094
What freezing your credit doesn’t do
Keep in mind, a credit freeze stops new lenders from opening lines of credit in your name, but that also means even when you apply. So if you need to do something like get a new credit card or loan, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit first.
It’s also important to note that a credit freeze does not prevent fraud on your existing accounts. Scammers can still do things like steal your physical credit cards, skim account numbers, and take over your online accounts, which is why it is important to routinely monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any signs of fraud.
Stay Connected With the National Consumer Unit
Get clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.
Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com
