# Credit freeze guides

Plain-English guides to freezing, thawing, and protecting your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

- [How to freeze your credit at all three bureaus](/guides/how-to-freeze-your-credit): A step-by-step guide to freezing your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion: what a freeze does, how fast it works, and why you need all three.
- [How to freeze your Equifax credit](/guides/freeze-equifax): How to place and lift a free credit freeze at Equifax online, what you need before you start, and how fast it takes effect.
- [How to freeze your TransUnion credit](/guides/freeze-transunion): How to place and lift a free credit freeze at TransUnion online, what you need before you start, and how fast it takes effect.
- [How to freeze your Experian credit](/guides/freeze-experian): How to place and lift a free credit freeze at Experian online, what you need before you start, and how fast it takes effect.
- [Credit freeze vs. credit lock vs. fraud alert](/guides/credit-freeze-vs-lock): The difference between a credit freeze, a credit lock, and a fraud alert, and which one protects you best.
- [How to thaw your credit for a loan or apartment](/guides/thaw-credit-for-a-loan): How to temporarily lift a credit freeze when you apply for a loan, credit card, or apartment, and refreeze it afterward.
- [How to freeze your child’s credit](/guides/freeze-your-childs-credit): Why child identity theft happens and how parents can freeze a child’s credit for free at all three bureaus.
- [What to do after a data breach](/guides/after-a-data-breach): Six steps to take when a company leaks your Social Security number: freeze your credit, check your reports, add a fraud alert, and more.