Credit freeze: Free, federally mandated, legally protected — the gold standard. Credit lock: Convenient app toggle, sometimes sold as a premium service, but no federal legal protection. Recommendation: Use a credit freeze. It's free, stronger, and you can temporarily lift it in minutes when applying for credit.
| Feature | Credit Freeze | Credit Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free — federally mandated since 2018 | Often free, but sometimes sold in bundles ($10-$40/month) |
| Legal Protection | ✅ FCRA — federal law requires compliance | ❌ Contractual only — bureau terms of service |
| Speed to Lift | Same day online; 3 business days by phone | Instant via app (most providers) |
| Effect on Existing Accounts | No effect — existing accounts work normally | No effect — existing accounts work normally |
| Effect on Credit Score | Zero impact | Zero impact |
| Bureaus Required | All 3 separately (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) | Depends on the service — may not cover all 3 |
| Exceptions (Who Can Still Access) | Legally defined: existing creditors, government agencies, your own access | Bureau's discretion — partner lenders may get access |
| Best For | Maximum protection, identity theft victims, data breach victims | Frequent applicants who need quick on/off, tech convenience |
| PIN/Password | Some bureaus use a PIN; online account used at others | Tied to your account login |
The 2018 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act made credit freezes free for everyone and gave them federal legal force. Here's what that means:
Use a credit freeze as your default protection. It's free, legally enforceable, and provides stronger protection than a lock. The only reason to prefer a lock is if you're applying for credit frequently and value the instant toggle convenience — but most people can plan ahead and lift a freeze the day before applying.
You must freeze your credit at each bureau separately. Here's where to go:
📞 1-800-685-1111
Also freeze ChexSystems separately if concerned about bank fraud
📞 1-888-909-8872
myTransUnion app provides some lock-like convenience
Open three browser tabs: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You'll need to create or log into an account at each one.
Each bureau will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, address history, and answers to identity verification questions. This is required to prevent someone else from freezing your credit.
Submit the freeze request online. You should receive confirmation immediately. Some bureaus will provide a PIN — save it somewhere secure (you may need it to lift the freeze by phone).
Store your username, password, and any PIN in a password manager or secure document. If you lose access, lifting the freeze by phone can take 3 business days.
Complete the process at all three bureaus. A freeze at Equifax doesn't affect Experian or TransUnion — each must be frozen separately.
Lifting a freeze is easy — you can do it online in minutes:
| Your Situation | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Identity theft victim | Freeze | Legally enforceable, no exceptions for bureau partners |
| Data breach victim | Freeze | Maximum protection while you monitor for misuse |
| Not applying for credit for 1+ years | Freeze | Set it and forget it — no need for convenience |
| Shopping for mortgage (multiple inquiries) | Freeze + temporary lift | Lift for rate shopping window, re-freeze after |
| Applying for credit monthly | Lock (for convenience) | Instant toggle saves time if applying frequently |
| Minor child protection | Freeze | All states allow minors to be frozen; locks rarely available for minors |
| Elderly parent protection | Freeze | Legally stronger; protects against elder financial fraud |
| Already paying for a credit lock service | Cancel + use Freeze | Freeze is free and legally stronger — no reason to pay for a lock |
No — absolutely not. A credit freeze has zero impact on your credit score for these reasons:
The only effect on new credit: lenders who pull a hard inquiry will be unable to access your file while frozen. Once you lift the freeze, your file is accessible again and applications proceed normally.
All states now allow you to freeze your minor child's credit file — even if they don't have one yet. This is important because children are prime identity theft targets (their clean SSNs are valuable, and fraud may go undetected for years).
To freeze a minor's credit:
Identity theft can result in fraudulent accounts and debt collectors. Fight back with a professional dispute or cease-and-desist letter.
Generate a Free Dispute Letter →False. A freeze only prevents new inquiries for new credit. All your existing accounts work exactly as before.
Online lifts are same-day (usually within minutes). Phone lifts must be processed within 1 hour if requested verbally, and by next business day if by mail. Online is the fastest method.
False. Since 2018, credit freezes last until you lift them. They do not expire.
A lock is convenient but not legally equivalent to a freeze. Bureau partners may still access a locked file depending on the terms of service. A freeze has legally defined exceptions — locks don't.
No. Credit freezes are free at all three major bureaus. Credit monitoring services that charge monthly fees often bundle a "credit lock" as the selling point — but the free freeze provides stronger legal protection.
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion online. Takes 15 minutes. Free.
Visit annualcreditreport.com for free reports from all 3 bureaus. Look for any unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
Go to identitytheft.gov — creates an Identity Theft Report you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts.
Use your FTC report to dispute any unauthorized accounts with bureaus and the original creditors.
Set up free monitoring alerts. Stolen data may be used months or years after a breach.