Freeze U.S. credit after identity data is exposed, then plan a temporary lift

In the United States, a credit freeze restricts access to a consumer credit report used for new credit. It is free and remains until lifted. A freeze can stop new credit applications in your name, including your own, so plan how to lift it temporarily before an intended loan or other check.

Before you start​

This guide is for the U.S. credit-report system. If you live elsewhere, use your own country's credit and identity-theft authorities instead of assuming these bureaus cover you.

Do it step by step​

1. Go directly to the official Equifax, Experian and TransUnion sites or contact each through a verified number. Do not pay a site that claims a government freeze fee.
2. Place a security freeze with all three separately. Save each confirmation and account recovery method in a secure place you can access later.
3. Review your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. If identity theft has already occurred, use the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov recovery plan.
4. Before a legitimate application, ask the lender which bureau it checks and request a temporary lift there for the required time, if feasible.
5. After the check, confirm the freeze is active again at the appropriate bureau and keep monitoring existing accounts and statements.

Check the result​

Each of the three bureaus should display an active freeze. Any temporary lift should show the intended scope and end time.

If something goes wrong​

A freeze can complicate a legitimate application. It does not automatically block transactions on existing cards or replace a stolen card; report those to the issuer separately.

Know the limit​

A fraud alert is a different, usually less restrictive tool: it tells creditors to verify identity and can be initiated with one bureau. A freeze must be placed at all three. U.S. rules may change, so verify current procedures with the bureaus. FTC credit freeze and fraud alert guide