How to freeze your credit for free

You can freeze your credit if you have concerns about account security and identity theft. Freezing your credit is free, but there are a few steps you have to take—and multiple companies to contact.

Here’s how to freeze your credit, plus other information about credit monitoring and protecting your personal information. 

What you’ll learn:

• A credit freeze restricts access to your credit reports, which can prevent identity thieves from using your information to open accounts in your name.

• You must request credit freezes and unfreezes separately from each major credit bureau.

• Freezing your credit won’t harm your credit or prevent you from building credit.

• Credit freezes keep potential lenders or employers from accessing your credit files. 

• You may be able to freeze your child’s credit or another adult’s if you have power of attorney.

A credit freeze, sometimes called a security freeze, restricts access to your credit reports. When your account is frozen, it makes it harder for scammers to open new lines of credit in your name.

People often choose to freeze their credit to protect against identity theft or fraud. Even if you don’t have immediate concerns, you could freeze your credit as a precaution, especially if you aren’t planning to open any new accounts soon. But if your plans change, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit.

While a security freeze can help prevent anyone from accessing your credit report, there are still things to keep in mind about your current cards and any future credit or loan applications. 

Important information to know includes:

1. You can still build credit. Freezing your credit won’t affect your ability to build credit with your credit cards. You can still use your cards like normal. And credit card issuers can still report responsible use, such as on-time payments, to the bureaus.

2. Your credit scores won’t change. A credit freeze won’t impact your credit scores. But it’s still important to manage your credit cards responsibly if you want to build or maintain your scores.

3. You’ll need to unfreeze your credit for credit checks. Credit freezes prevent potential lenders from reviewing your credit when you apply for loans, housing, utilities and more. But you can usually unfreeze your credit temporarily to give lenders access.

4. There are other options to help protect your credit. Credit freezes are just one way you can help prevent identity theft. Regularly monitoring your credit can help you spot unusual activity early. CreditWise from Capital One can help. You can also read up on scams and how to report them.

To freeze your credit reports or those of a child or another adult, you’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®. 

Each bureau has its own process, but be prepared to share some personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN) and birthdate. You’ll also have to verify your identity. That might mean providing copies of personal documents, such as a driver’s license or a bank statement.

All three bureaus encourage people to freeze their credit online. Experian and TransUnion both say it’s “quickest” and “easiest.” But there are telephone and mail options. Here’s how to freeze your credit files with each bureau:

If your child is 15 or younger, you can freeze their credit as a precaution by mail with each credit bureau:

• Equifax provides a minor freeze request form with instructions. 

• Experian provides information and a request form to use.

• TransUnion provides detailed instructions to submit a request.

If you have power of attorney, you may be able to place a security freeze on behalf of another adult. This also is done by mail with each credit bureau:

• Equifax provides an adult freeze request form with instructions.

• Experian provides information and a request form to use.

• TransUnion provides detailed instructions to submit a request.

Still have questions about freezing your credit? Here are some common questions about credit freezes:

Freezing your credit is one step you can take to secure your information and help prevent identity theft. 

You can also regularly monitor your credit. CreditWise can help. It’s free for everyone, even if you’re not a Capital One cardholder. And with security features like dark web monitoring, you can act quickly if your personal information is compromised.