A credit freeze blocks access to your credit report, preventing scammers from opening loans or credit accounts in your name. The process is free and takes about 15 minutes.
To freeze your credit, you contact the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You must contact each one separately. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, address history, email, phone number, and identity-verification information like a driver's license. You can freeze your credit online, by mail, or by phone through the official pages of each bureau.
A credit freeze won't affect your credit score or stop you from using existing credit cards. You can still make purchases and pay bills normally. The freeze only prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
The measure won't stop fraud already happening on your current accounts, and it won't make you immune to all scams. When you need to apply for new credit or rent an apartment, you'll need to temporarily "thaw" your credit by removing the freeze. Once your application is complete, you can freeze it again.
Retirees may benefit especially from this step. In 2025, people aged 60 and older reported $48.5 million in losses from identity theft, according to the FBI's internet crime report.
You may want to add fraud alerts alongside a credit freeze. These alerts notify you of suspicious account activity so you can respond quickly.