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How to freeze your Equifax credit

Equifax is one of the three nationwide credit bureaus. Freezing your Equifax file is free and stops most lenders that use Equifax from pulling your report.

Before you start

• Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready.
• Expect to create a myEquifax account and answer identity questions the first time.
• Use a strong, unique password and save it. You'll need this account to lift the freeze later.

Freeze online

• Go to Equifax's official credit freeze page.
• Create or sign in to your myEquifax account.
• Verify your identity.
• Choose to place a freeze on your Equifax credit report.

An online request must take effect within one business day. Equifax's freeze page also lists its phone and mail options.

Lift or thaw it later

Sign back in to myEquifax and either remove the freeze or lift it temporarily for the dates you choose. An online lift must happen within one hour.

Don't stop at Equifax

A freeze only covers the bureau you placed it with. Also freeze at TransUnion and Experian. See the full guide to freezing all three.

Sources

• Equifax: Credit freeze
• CFPB: Security freezes