# How to freeze your credit at all three bureaus

A credit freeze is the strongest free protection against someone opening new credit in your name. It stops lenders from pulling your credit report, and without a report almost no lender will approve a new card, loan, or account. Here's how it works and how to do it.

## What a freeze does

- **Blocks new credit in your name.** A lender checking your file sees it's frozen and can't pull your report, so a thief with your Social Security number hits a wall.
- **Doesn't touch your score.** Freezing has no effect on your credit score, according to the CFPB.
- **Doesn't affect what you already have.** Your existing cards and loans keep working, and those creditors can still see your file.
- **Is free.** Placing and lifting a freeze is free at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion under federal law.
- **Lasts until you lift it.** There's no expiration date.

## Why you need all three

Lenders don't all use the same bureau. A thief only needs one bureau to be open, so a freeze at just one or two leaves a gap. Freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

## How fast it works

Under federal rules summarized by the CFPB:

- A freeze requested online or by phone must be placed **within one business day**.
- A lift requested online or by phone must happen **within one hour**.
- Requests by mail can take up to three business days.

## How to freeze, bureau by bureau

Each bureau has its own website, account, and steps:

- [How to freeze your Equifax credit](/guides/freeze-equifax)
- [How to freeze your TransUnion credit](/guides/freeze-transunion)
- [How to freeze your Experian credit](/guides/freeze-experian)

You'll usually create an account at each bureau and answer identity questions the first time. Save each sign-in somewhere safe: you'll need it again whenever you lift the freeze.

## When you need to apply for credit

Lift the freeze for a short window, apply, then let it refreeze. See [how to thaw your credit for a loan or apartment](/guides/thaw-credit-for-a-loan).

## Freeze, lock, or fraud alert?

A freeze is set by law and free. A lock is a bureau product with its own terms. A fraud alert asks lenders to verify it's you, but doesn't block them from pulling your report. Read [credit freeze vs. credit lock](/guides/credit-freeze-vs-lock).

## Sources

- [CFPB: What does it mean to put a security freeze on my credit report?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-does-it-mean-to-put-a-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/)
- [FTC: Credit freezes and fraud alerts](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts)