How to Freeze Your Credit Score

Stop thieves from accessing new credit.

States have created laws requiring credit bureaus to permit credit "freezes." A credit freeze stops people from accessing your credit report. This prevents the opening of new credit accounts. Credit freezes won't adversely affect your credit rating or score, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). However, you will need to make a request with each of the major credit bureaus, including Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

Instructions

1. Learn about local laws. Each state has different laws about credit freezes. The majority of states require that credit bureaus offer this service; however, some states don't. Alabama, Missouri and Michigan haven't adopted credit freeze laws yet. Check out your state laws through Consumer's Union.

2. Request a credit freeze. Freeze your credit by contacting each of the credit bureaus directly. The credit bureau will verify personal information to establish your identity. For example, the bureau will ask for a specific payment amount of a debt obligation. Keep credit files close when freezing credit to answer questions.

3. Receive a PIN number. Each credit bureau will provide a PIN number. Keep this number in a safe place. The PIN number is used in the future for lifting a credit freeze.

4. Pay the appropriate fees. Each credit bureau charges a $10 fee to freeze credit. Some states require credit bureaus to offer credit freezes at no cost. Ask credit bureaus for the appropriate fee information in your state.

5. Access your credit by requesting an "unfreeze." Contact each credit bureau, provide the appropriate PIN number and ask that the freeze be lifted. You can lift the freeze for a specific period of time, defined by you, to access your own credit. After the period has expired, the credit freeze will be in place again.

Tips & Warnings

• There isn't any cost to lift your credit freeze. You can do this as many times as needed to apply for new credit. A credit freeze can also be lifted permanently by providing the PIN number.

• Don't forget to close accounts a criminal has accessed in the past. A credit freeze will stop thieves from opening new credit in your name. It won't, however, stop criminals from using old credit accounts. Contact each creditor; close out accounts, and request new account numbers.

References

• Federal Trade Commission: Credit Freeze
• Consumers Union: State Specific Credit Information

Resources

• TransUnion: Freeze Credit
• Equifax: Freeze Credit
• Experian: Freeze Credit