How to Freeze Equifax Credit?

• If you suspect your personal data has been compromised or you won't need new credit soon, place an Equifax credit freeze now.
• If you already receive real‑time alerts from a trusted credit‑monitoring service, you may wait until a breach is confirmed.
• If you intend to apply for a loan, mortgage, or new credit card within the next 30 days, keep your Equifax file unfrozen to avoid processing delays.
• If you are a confirmed identity‑theft victim, a freeze stops additional fraudulent accounts from being opened.
• If you want flexibility, remember you can lift the freeze temporarily online, a step covered in the 'temporarily lift your Equifax freeze' section.

If you want a free, legally enforceable block that stays in place until you lift it, choose an Equifax credit freeze; if you prefer instant, app‑based control with a subscription fee, a credit lock may suit you.

Gather these five documents before you start the Equifax credit freeze.

• Government‑issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
• Social Security number and full legal name
• Date of birth
• Proof of current residence (utility bill, bank statement, or lease)
• Existing Equifax PIN or password (if you've frozen before)

You can freeze your Equifax credit online in just five minutes by following these steps.

All you need is your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address - you gathered these in the previous section.

1. Visit the Equifax credit freeze portal.
2. Sign in with your myEquifax ID or create a new account.
3. Verify your identity by entering your SSN, date of birth, address, and answering the security questions.
4. Select 'Place a freeze,' confirm the request, and submit.
5. Record the PIN and password shown on the confirmation screen; the freeze takes effect the next business day.

Equifax credit freeze by phone:

Call 1‑888‑766‑0002, then give your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and the mailing address of any previous residence you've used with Equifax. The representative will verify your identity with a credit‑report‑based questionnaire; the freeze becomes active within three business days.

Equifax credit freeze by mail:

Write a brief request that includes the same personal details, attach a copy of a government‑issued ID and a utility bill or bank statement as proof of address, and send it to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348. The freeze takes effect in about five business days. Keep the confirmation letter and the PIN or password you receive; you'll need them when you later check your freeze status.

Verify your Equifax credit freeze instantly by logging into the Equifax Freeze Center, calling the dedicated toll‑free line, or requesting written confirmation. Online, enter your PIN and password to see the active status; by phone, dial 1‑800‑685‑1111 (available 24 hours) and provide the same credentials; by mail, send a signed request to Equifax and they'll reply within a few business days. Choose the method that matches how you froze the credit and move on to temporarily lift the freeze when needed.

• Equifax Freeze Center login page - enter PIN/password for real‑time status.
• Phone verification - call 1‑800‑685‑1111, give PIN/password, hear immediate confirmation.
• Mail confirmation - write 'freeze status request' with your PIN, send to Equifax; expect a mailed response in 1‑3 business days.

Temporarily lift your Equifax credit freeze whenever a lender needs to run a credit check, then restore the protection afterward.

1. Gather your PIN or password. You received these when you placed the freeze; without them you cannot unlock the file.
2. Choose the method.
   • Online - log into the Equifax credit freeze lift portal.
   • Phone - call 1‑800‑685‑1111 (TTY 1‑800‑349‑9960) and provide your PIN.
   • Mail - write a signed request including your name, address, Social Security number, PIN, and the dates you need the lift; send it to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348.
3. Specify the lift parameters. Indicate either a single date (e.g., 06/15/2025) for one inquiry or a date range (e.g., 06/01/2025 to 06/30/2025) for multiple applications.
4. Confirm the request. The online system shows a confirmation screen; the phone rep reads back the details; mail requests receive a mailed or emailed confirmation within three business days.
5. Re‑freeze after the approved period. The portal or phone line automatically reinstates the freeze once the date expires; if you used mail, submit another lift request when you need another temporary removal.

Proceed to the next section to avoid common mistakes when you freeze Equifax.

The biggest pitfalls are forgetting the PIN, assuming the freeze is instant, and mixing up a credit lock with a freeze. Watch for these common errors before you move on to lifting or confirming your freeze.

• Save the PIN and password Equifax sends you; you need them to lift, remove, or temporarily lift the freeze.
• Verify the freeze is active, preferably on the Equifax credit freeze status page, because activation can take up to 24 hours.
• Use the official online portal for fastest processing; phone or mail requests add extra delay and may require additional paperwork.
• Remember a freeze only blocks new accounts after it's active; it does not erase fraudulent accounts opened before the freeze.
• Temporarily lift the freeze before any legitimate credit application, or lenders will reject your request.
• Match the personal information (SSN, address) you provide with what Equifax has on file; mismatches cause the freeze request to be rejected.
• If you actually need a credit lock, select that option in the credit‑lock vs‑freeze comparison section; a lock is reversible instantly but is not a legal freeze.

If an account was opened before your Equifax credit freeze, the freeze won't reverse it - you must dispute the account directly.

First, obtain your latest Equifax credit report (or the free annual report). Look for any new inquiries or accounts dated before the freeze's effective date. Note the creditor's name, account number, and opening date.

Steps to recover:

• Contact the creditor immediately; request a written 'account not recognized' notice and ask them to close the fraudulent line.
• File a fraud alert with Equifax (and the other bureaus) by calling 1‑800‑525‑2555; the alert stays on your file for 90 days and forces creditors to verify identity.
• Submit an Identity Theft Report to the FTC at identitytheft.gov; include a copy of the disputed credit report.
• Send a certified‑mail dispute letter to Equifax, attaching the FTC report, the creditor's denial, and any supporting IDs; request removal of the unauthorized account.
• Keep copies of all correspondence, dates, and reference numbers; follow up within 30 days to confirm the deletion.

After the fraudulent entry is erased, you can re‑verify your freeze status (see section 6) and consider monitoring services for early detection.

Now that the old breach is cleared, the next step is to protect the next generation by placing an Equifax freeze for a child or dependent.

An Equifax credit freeze for a child or dependent works exactly like an adult freeze, but you must submit proof of the minor's identity and of your legal relationship.

You'll need the child's full name, Social Security number, and date of birth, plus a copy of their Social Security card. Attach a copy of your government‑issued ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) and a document showing you're the parent or legal guardian (birth certificate, adoption papers, or court order).

Complete the online form on the Equifax freeze portal, upload the scans, and receive a PIN and password that let you lift or remove the freeze later. If you prefer phone or mail, call 1‑800‑349‑9960 or send the same documents to Equifax's freeze address; the agency will confirm the freeze within three business days.

*Example 1*: Maria, a mother of a 10‑year‑old, logs into the Equifax portal, selects 'freeze for a minor,' uploads her driver's license, her son's Social Security card, and his birth certificate. She receives her PIN and password instantly and shares them only with her son's future college counselor.

*Example 2*: Jake, a grandfather caring for his 15‑year‑old nephew, calls Equifax, verifies his own identity, and mails a photocopy of the boy's Social Security card, the court‑approved guardianship papers, and his own passport copy. Equifax processes the request and sends a written confirmation with the freeze credentials within two days.

These steps follow the document checklist discussed earlier and set up the next section on confirming your freeze status.

To freeze Equifax for a deceased or incapacitated family member, the person with legal authority - such as an executor, administrator, or holder of a valid power of attorney must submit a written request to Equifax that includes proof of authority and the subject's identifying information.

Gather the required paperwork before you send anything: a certified death certificate or court‑issued guardianship/conservatorship order, the legal document naming you as representative (letters of administration, POA, etc.), a government‑issued ID for yourself, and the deceased's full name, address, and Social Security number. This aligns with the 'gather documents you'll need to freeze Equifax' step earlier in the guide.

Mail or fax the package to Equifax's freeze department (or use the Equifax credit freeze request page for electronic submission). Equifax will place the freeze, then send you a PIN and confirmation letter, which you'll need if you later lift the freeze as described in the upcoming 'temporarily lift your Equifax freeze for applications' section.