What a credit freeze really does
A credit freeze (also called a "security freeze") tells the major credit bureaus to block new lenders from pulling your credit file. If a criminal tries to open a new card, loan, or phone line in your name, their application usually fails because the lender can't see your report.
- It does not erase your existing debts or history.
- It does not stop charges on accounts you already have.
- It mostly protects you against new-account fraud (fake cards, loans, etc.).
When a freeze is worth considering
A freeze is a good option if any of these are true:
- A breach exposed your Social Security number or similar ID numbers.
- You see suspicious applications or "hard pulls" you don't recognize.
- You simply want to make it much harder for anyone to open new credit in your name.
If you know you'll be applying for a mortgage, car loan, or new credit card in the next few weeks, you can still use a freeze—you'll just temporarily lift it when you're ready to apply.
Step-by-step: how to place a credit freeze
In the U.S., you usually need to contact each major bureau separately. The process is similar across them:
- Go to the official website or phone number for each bureau (not a random email link).
- Create or sign into your account.
- Find the option for a credit freeze or security freeze.
- Follow the prompts and save any PIN or password they give you.
Keep that PIN/password somewhere safe. You'll need it later if you want to temporarily lift or remove the freeze.
What changes after you freeze your credit
Day-to-day life usually doesn't change much:
- You can still use existing credit cards and loans as normal.
- Your credit score continues to move up and down in the background.
- You can still get pre-existing account alerts and statements.
The main difference is that new lenders can't see your report unless you temporarily unfreeze it.
How to temporarily lift or remove a freeze
When you're ready to apply for something new:
- Sign into each bureau's site or call the number they provided.
- Use your PIN/password to verify yourself.
- Choose whether to unfreeze for a specific lender, or for a date range (for example, "unfreeze for 7 days").
After that window passes, the freeze snaps back into place automatically.
Freeze vs. monitoring vs. fraud alerts
People often mix these up. In simple terms:
- Credit freeze: blocks new lenders from seeing your credit file without your OK.
- Fraud alert: tells lenders to take extra steps to verify applications, but doesn't fully block them.
- Monitoring services: notify you when new activity shows up, but can't stop it by themselves.
A freeze is more "lock the door." Monitoring is more "get notified when someone tries the handle."
For MSPs and IT providers
If you help clients respond to breaches, credit freezes can become part of a calm, repeatable playbook:
- Explain freezes in plain English during breach reviews and QBRs.
- Include a "credit options" section in your breach response checklist (monitoring, fraud alerts, freezes).
- Document who is responsible for what—IT handles accounts, HR/legal handles credit and identity-theft guidance.