How Do I Put a Hold on Credit Bureaus?

Credit freeze stops any new account from being opened in your name at Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion until you lift it. This blocks the fastest route thieves use to exploit stolen personal data, and it does so without hurting your credit score or credit‑monitoring services. Since the official consumer finance guide on credit freezes confirms that freezes are free nationwide, the cost barrier is gone.

Because a freeze prevents unauthorized credit checks, it buys you time to address any existing fraud, secure your existing accounts, and decide whether a fraud alert might be a better interim step. The next section, 'freeze or fraud alert first,' will help you choose the right protection before you launch an online freeze in minutes.

Place a fraud alert before a credit freeze when you need quick, low‑effort protection. A fraud alert tells Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to flag any new credit request and to contact you for verification. It activates within 24‑48 hours, costs nothing, and does not require a PIN, so you can lift it instantly if the alert was a false alarm. See what a fraud alert does for details.

Start with a credit freeze when you want the strongest barrier against unauthorized accounts. A freeze blocks all new credit inquiries at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion until you provide the personal PIN or password. It is free nationwide, can be set up online in minutes, and remains in place until you temporarily lift it for a loan or mortgage. For full guidance, review details on credit freezes.

Freeze your credit online in under five minutes. All three major bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - offer free, nationwide freezes through their websites.

1. Collect your Social Security number, full legal name, date of birth, current address, and driver's‑license or state‑ID number.
2. Visit the Equifax freeze portal (Equifax credit freeze page), create a secure account, enter the personal details, and confirm the freeze.
3. Go to the Experian freeze site (Experian credit freeze page) and repeat the same steps.
4. Open the TransUnion freeze page (TransUnion credit freeze page), log in or register, and complete the freeze request.
5. Record each bureau's PIN or password in a safe place; you'll need it to lift or remove the freeze later.
6. Log back into each account to verify the status shows 'freeze active.'

Follow these steps once and your credit will be locked across all bureaus within minutes.

Dial the toll‑free numbers below to place a credit freeze over the phone.

• Equifax credit freeze phone line: 1‑800‑685‑1111, 24/7, have SSN, date of birth, and address ready
• Experian credit freeze phone line: 1‑888‑397‑3742, 24/7, have SSN, date of birth, and address ready
• TransUnion credit freeze phone line: 1‑888‑909‑8872, 24/7, have SSN, date of birth, and address ready

Send a certified‑mail packet to each bureau and they will freeze your credit at no cost.

• Gather a clear photocopy of a government ID (driver's license or passport).
• Write down your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current address.
• Include the PIN or password you received when you set up the online or phone freeze (if you have one).
• Draft a brief letter stating you request a credit freeze, listing the above personal details, and signing it.
• Mail the packet to:
  • Equifax - P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
  • Experian - P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013
  • TransUnion - P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
• Keep the mailing receipts and tracking numbers as proof of submission.

Once the letters are delivered, the bureaus will process the freeze within a few days; next, verify all three freezes are locked.

Check each bureau's portal or phone line to confirm your freeze is active; a confirmed lock shows 'freeze on' for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

• Log into the Equifax credit freeze portal (or call 1‑800‑349‑9960) and verify the 'Freeze Status: Active' banner.
• Access the Experian freeze center (or dial 1‑888‑397‑3742) and confirm the 'Credit Freeze: On' indicator.
• Open the TransUnion freeze page (or call 1‑888‑909‑8872) and ensure the 'Freeze Locked' label appears.
• Save each bureau's confirmation screen or note the reference number they provide for future reference.
• Attempt a soft credit‑pull via a free score service; the request should be blocked or return a 'freeze' status.

Avoid these five common credit freeze mistakes that can leave your data exposed.

• Skip the confirmation PIN: failing to record the PIN or password each bureau gives means you can't lift or modify the freeze later; store it safely offline.
• Forget to freeze all three bureaus: a freeze at Equifax alone doesn't stop Experian or TransUnion from being queried; submit separate requests for each.
• Use an outdated mailing address: sending paper requests to an old address leaves the freeze unprocessed; double‑check the current address on each bureau's website.
• Assume the freeze is permanent: many people ignore the option to lift it temporarily; log into the online portal to pause the freeze for a specific lender instead of removing it entirely.
• Overlook the 'security freeze' vs. 'fraud alert' choice: placing a freeze after a fraud alert can cause duplicate paperwork and delay protection; decide which tool meets your immediate need first.

You can freeze your child's credit the same way you freeze your own. A credit freeze prevents Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion from releasing a minor's credit report, which blocks thieves from opening new accounts in the child's name; the service is free nationwide.

To place the freeze, log into each bureau's online portal (for example, the Equifax credit freeze page, Experian's freeze center, and TransUnion credit freeze page) and submit the child's name, Social Security number, date of birth, and your contact details.

Alternatively, call the bureaus with the same information, or add the child to an existing family freeze by selecting 'add a person' in the account settings. Both methods lock the child's file instantly, and you receive a confirmation PIN for each bureau to lift the freeze later if needed.

If your identity's been stolen, lock down all three bureaus now so thieves can't open new accounts.

1. Get your Identity Theft Report from the FTC; the report includes a unique PIN for each bureau.
2. Go to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion's online freeze portals (or call the numbers listed in 'call these numbers for phone freezes') and enter the PINs.
3. Select 'freeze my credit' for each bureau; the system confirms instantly and emails a confirmation number.
4. Save every confirmation in a secure folder - this proves the freeze is active if a creditor asks for proof.
5. Notify any creditors you know have been targeted, giving them the freeze confirmation so they won't attempt a hard pull.

These steps build on the 'launch online freeze in minutes' guide and ensure every freeze stays locked, preventing further fraud while you work on remediation.

Temporarily lift a credit freeze when a lender needs to check your report for a loan by requesting a short‑term thaw from each bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

• Log in to the online portal of each bureau or call the toll‑free number listed on your freeze confirmation; have your PIN or password ready.
• Choose 'temporary lift,' enter the exact dates the loan officer will access your file (usually 1‑3 days).
• Confirm the lift and note the confirmation number; the bureau will send an email or text verification.
• Tell the lender the lift's start and end dates; they can now pull your credit without a permanent unfreeze.
• After the loan process, the freeze automatically re‑engages, protecting you from further inquiries.

Equifax credit‑freeze portal, Experian freeze center, and TransUnion freeze page provide the same steps.