A security freeze stops a credit bureau from releasing your report to most new creditors until you lift it, which makes it hard for anyone to open new credit in your name. Federal law makes placing and lifting a freeze free. You must place it with each bureau separately.
Also called: credit freeze, freeze my credit, credit lock, national security freeze
What it means
A security freeze, usually called a credit freeze, locks your credit file at a bureau. While it’s on, the bureau won’t release your report to a new creditor without your go-ahead. Because most lenders won’t open an account they can’t check, a freeze is one of the strongest ways to stop new-account identity theft. The FTC says a freeze doesn’t affect your credit score.
Where it comes from
Federal law gives every consumer the right to a free freeze at the nationwide bureaus. Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1(i):
- The bureau must place the freeze within one business day of a phone or online request, or three business days of a mail request.
- It must confirm the freeze within five business days and explain how to lift it.
- Lifting is also free. A phone or online request must be honored within one hour, and you can lift it temporarily for a set period.
Parents and guardians can also freeze the file of a child under 16 or of an incapacitated adult. If no file exists, the bureau must create one so it can be frozen (§ 1681c-1(j)).
Who can still see a frozen report
A freeze isn’t a total block. Under § 1681c-1(i)(4) and as the CFPB explains, access continues for creditors you already have accounts with (and their collectors), certain government agencies, monitoring services you signed up for, and some screening uses such as insurance underwriting, employment, and tenant screening.
Freeze vs. fraud alert
You must contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately to freeze all three. A fraud alert works differently: you contact one bureau and it notifies the others, and lenders can still see your report but must verify your identity first. Many identity theft victims use both.
Common problems
- A bureau fails to place or lift a freeze on time, costing you a loan or apartment.
- New accounts appear despite a freeze, which can mean a bureau released a report it shouldn’t have.
- A freeze is placed at only one or two bureaus.
How to fix it
Keep the confirmation each bureau sends. If an account opens during a freeze, get your file disclosure to see who pulled your report, file an identity theft report, and ask for an identity theft block.
When it can be an FCRA violation
The freeze timelines in § 1681c-1(i) are FCRA requirements. A bureau that releases a frozen report to someone not allowed to see it, or ignores the deadlines, may be liable if it acted negligently or willfully.
If a freeze failed and the fraud it was supposed to stop is still on your report, FCRA Attorneys offers a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Related
- Fraud alert
- Identity theft block
- Consumer reporting agency
- Permissible purpose
- Nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency
- Identity theft cases
- How to Dispute Experian: Dispute Address, Phone, Deadlines and Your Rights
- How to Dispute Equifax: Dispute Address, Phone, Deadlines and Your Rights
- How to Dispute TransUnion: Dispute Address, Phone, Deadlines and Your Rights
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1, identity theft prevention; fraud alerts and security freezes (Cornell LII)
- CFPB, What is the difference between a fraud alert and a security freeze?
- FTC, What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
- CFPB, A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Updated November 2026. This glossary is written by FCRA Attorneys from public sources. It is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any credit bureau or industry association.