What a Social Security freeze does and who should use it

A Social Security number freeze, officially called a credit freeze, tells the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) not to release your credit report to anyone without your permission. This stops a thief who has your Social Security number from opening new credit accounts, taking out loans, or running up charges in your name — because lenders cannot see your credit history to approve them.

You do not need to have been a victim of identity theft to freeze your number. You can freeze it as a preventive step, especially if your Social Security number has been exposed in a data breach, if you have received a notice that your information was compromised, or if you straightforward want to reduce the risk. The freeze is free and does not affect your existing accounts or credit score.

A freeze is different from a fraud alert. A fraud alert tells bureaus to contact you before opening new accounts, but it lasts only one year (or seven years if you have already been a victim). A freeze is permanent until you remove it yourself, giving you more control.

Key Takeaways

  • You can freeze your credit with each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through their websites or by phone, and the process takes about 15 minutes per bureau.
  • A freeze stops new credit accounts from being opened in your name without your permission, but does not affect accounts you already have or your ability to check your own credit.
  • You will receive a unique PIN or password from each bureau that you must save; you will need it to unfreeze your credit later if you want to explore for a loan or credit card.
  • Freezing your number is free under federal law, and you can freeze it even if you have never been a victim of identity theft.
  • If your Social Security number was exposed in a data breach, you should freeze your credit as soon as you learn about it, along with monitoring your accounts for unauthorized activity.

How to freeze your credit with each bureau

You must contact each of the three bureaus separately — freezing with one does not freeze with the others. Start with Equifax at freeze.equifax.com, Experian at experian.com/freeze, and TransUnion at freeze.transunion.com. Each has an online form that takes about five minutes to complete.

You will need your name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and a phone number or email. The bureau will verify your identity by asking questions about your credit history (such as "What was the loan amount on your car?") or by sending a code to your phone or email. After you answer correctly, the freeze goes into effect when ready online, though it may take up to one business day to take effect with lenders.

Each bureau will give you a unique PIN or password — write these down and store them somewhere safe, such as a password manager or a locked drawer. You will need these to unfreeze your credit later if you want to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or credit card. Without the PIN, unfreezing takes longer and requires additional identity verification.

If you prefer to freeze by phone, Equifax is 1-800-349-9960, Experian is 1-888-397-3742, and TransUnion is 1-888-909-8872. The phone process is the same as online but may take longer if you reach a busy line.

What happens when you try to borrow money with a frozen credit report

When you explore for a credit card, mortgage, auto loan, or any other credit product, the lender will request your credit report from one or more of the three bureaus. If your credit is frozen, the bureau will not release your report, and the lender will not be able to complete your process.

This means you will need to unfreeze your credit before explore. You can do this temporarily — for example, you can unfreeze for 30 days while you shop for a mortgage, then refreeze it afterward. You can also unfreeze with just one bureau if you know which one the lender uses, though most lenders check all three.

To unfreeze, go back to the same bureau's website or call the same phone number, log in with your PIN, and select the option to temporarily lift the freeze or permanently remove it. Temporary unfreezes usually take effect within one hour online, though it can take up to three business days by phone.

Protecting yourself if your Social Security number is already compromised

If you know your Social Security number has been exposed — through a data breach notice, a suspicious credit inquiry, or unauthorized accounts opened in your name — freeze your credit when ready with all three bureaus. Do this before you see fraudulent charges, because the freeze prevents new accounts from being opened.

At the same time, place a fraud alert with at least one bureau (the alert will be shared with the other two). A fraud alert is free and tells lenders to contact you by phone before opening new accounts. You can place an initial fraud alert by calling any of the three bureaus; they will notify the other two. The initial alert lasts one year.

If you have already been a victim of identity theft, you can place an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years. You will need to provide a police report or identity theft report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. An extended alert also includes a free copy of your credit report from each bureau.

Check your credit reports regularly for accounts you did not open. You can view your reports free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you see fraud, dispute it with the bureau and file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

The difference between a freeze, a fraud alert, and monitoring services

A credit freeze stops new accounts from being opened without your permission. It is permanent until you remove it, and it is the strongest protection. You must unfreeze to explore for credit yourself.

A fraud alert tells lenders to contact you before opening new accounts. It lasts one year (or seven years if you have been a victim), and you do not have to unfreeze to explore for credit — the lender will just call you first. A fraud alert is weaker than a freeze but easier to live with if you explore for credit often.

A credit monitoring service watches your credit reports and alerts you if new accounts are opened or inquiries are made. It does not stop fraud — it only notifies you after it happens. Many monitoring services are free, but they are a supplement to a freeze or alert, not a replacement.

Most people who are concerned about identity theft use both a freeze and a fraud alert together: the freeze stops most fraud, and the alert catches anything that slips through.

Unfreezing your credit when you need to borrow

Before you explore for a loan, credit card, or rental process, unfreeze your credit. You can unfreeze temporarily (usually for 30 to 90 days) or permanently. Temporary unfreezes are safer because your credit re-freezes automatically after the time period ends.

Log into each bureau's website using your PIN and select "Temporarily lift freeze" or "Unfreeze". You will be asked how long you want the freeze lifted — common options are 30, 60, or 90 days. Some bureaus let you unfreeze for a specific date range instead. The unfreeze usually takes effect within one hour online.

If you lost your PIN, you can still unfreeze, but it takes longer. Call the bureau or go to their website and select "I forgot my PIN". You will have to verify your identity again by answering security questions or confirming a code sent to your phone or email. This process can take up to three business days.

After your temporary unfreeze expires, your credit automatically re-freezes. If you want to keep it unfrozen, you must unfreeze again or select "Permanently remove freeze" — but this removes the freeze entirely, so you would have to go through the process again to re-freeze later.

What to do if you cannot remember your PIN

If you froze your credit months or years ago and cannot find your PIN, you can still unfreeze without it. Go to the bureau's website or call their phone number and select the option for a forgotten PIN. You will be asked to verify your identity through security questions about your credit history or a code sent to your phone or email.

Identity verification by phone usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Online verification can be faster but may require you to answer detailed questions about accounts, addresses, or loans from your past. If the bureau cannot verify your identity online, they will ask you to call or mail in a notarized form.

Once your identity is verified, the bureau will either send you a new PIN by mail (which takes 5 to 10 business days) or let you create a new PIN when ready online. If you need to unfreeze urgently, ask if you can create a new PIN right away rather than waiting for mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does freezing my Social Security number hurt my credit score?

No. A freeze does not affect your credit score at all. Your score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — not on whether your credit is frozen. You can check your own credit reports and scores anytime, even with a freeze in place.

Can I freeze my child's Social Security number?

Yes, but the process is different. You must contact each bureau by mail or phone and provide proof that you are the parent or guardian, along with your child's birth certificate and Social Security card. Some bureaus have a specific process for minors; call ahead to ask what documents they need.

If I freeze my credit, can employers or landlords still check my background?

Yes. A credit freeze only stops lenders from seeing your credit report. Employers and landlords who run background checks use different systems and are not affected by a freeze. If a landlord needs to check your credit, you can temporarily unfreeze it for that purpose.

What if I want to unfreeze just one bureau instead of all three?

You can unfreeze with any combination of bureaus. However, most lenders check all three, so unfreezing with just one may not be enough. If you know which bureau a specific lender uses, you can unfreeze only that one, but it is usually safer to unfreeze all three temporarily.

How long does it take for a freeze to go into effect?

Online freezes usually take effect when ready, though lenders may not see the freeze for up to one business day. Freezes requested by phone or mail can take up to three business days. If you are explore for credit soon, freeze online rather than by phone to speed up the process.