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If it goes wrong · Law 10
Freeze your credit
A credit freeze blocks anyone — including a thief — from opening new credit in your name. It's free, it's your legal right, and it does not hurt your credit score.
Freeze with Equifax
Go to equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze or call 888-298-0045. Create a login (or use the phone steps), then place the freeze.
ScreenshotEquifax's credit-freeze pageFreeze with Experian
Go to experian.com/freeze or call 888-397-3742, and place the freeze the same way.
ScreenshotExperian's freeze pageFreeze with TransUnion
Go to transunion.com/credit-freeze or call 800-916-8800, and place the third freeze.
ScreenshotTransUnion's credit-freeze pageSave your logins and PINs
Each bureau gives you a login or a PIN to lift the freeze later. Save all three in your password manager so they're easy to find when you need them.
ScreenshotThe three saved logins in your password manager
A freeze doesn't stop you using the cards you already have, and you can lift it in minutes whenever you need to apply for credit yourself. There's no downside to turning it on.