Credit & reportsPractical guide · updated for 2026
How to Freeze Your Credit File and What It Stops
A freeze blocks new lenders from seeing your file, which stops most new accounts being opened in your name. It is free in the United States and you lift it temporarily when you apply for credit.
Have this ready
- Identification details for each bureau
- A secure place for the PINs
- A list of lenders you expect to apply to
Step by step
- 1Request a freeze with each of the three bureaus separately, since they hold separate files.
- 2Use each bureau's own security freeze page and keep the PIN or password they issue.
- 3Store the PINs somewhere you can find them, because you need them to lift the freeze.
- 4When you apply for credit, lift the freeze for a set window or for a named lender only.
- 5Repeat for a child or dependent if you are protecting their file.
- 6Check your reports after the freeze to confirm no new accounts appear.
- 7Remember that a freeze does not stop insurance, employment or existing account activity.
Want it done with you?
I can walk you through it in a Magic Box, show you the exact clicks, or do it with you and keep the recording. You log in yourself; I never see your password.
Common questions
Does a freeze hurt my credit score?+
No. A freeze is not a credit event and does not change your score.
How long does a freeze last?+
In the US it lasts until you lift it. A fraud alert is the time-limited option, usually a year.
Can I still use my existing cards?+
Yes. A freeze blocks new applications, not existing accounts.