Credit Freeze
A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is the best way to help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s absolutely free to freeze and unfreeze your credit, and it won’t affect your credit score.
How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit
When you use a credit freeze, you’re in control of who can access your credit information and when. It’s always free, easy and a great way to protect yourself from identity theft.
Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock
Trying to decide which is right for you? Credit freezes and credit locks both block access to your credit report, keeping new accounts from being opened in your name. But they are not the same thing and there are a few differences that you should understand.
- Credit Freeze
- Credit Lock
When should I use Freeze?
If you want a free option to block lenders from checking your report in order to open a new account.
How fast is it?
Adding or removing a credit freeze often happens in real time, but to be on the safe side, allow up to one hour for it to go into effect.
Will I receive status alerts?
No, a credit freeze won’t send you alerts, but you can log in at any time to see your freeze status.
Is it free?
Yes. You can add or access your Credit Freeze at any time for free on the TransUnion Service Center.
When should I use Lock?
When you want to make sure no one can access your credit report and are interested in additional features to improve credit health.
How fast is it?
Locking or unlocking your credit happens instantly. You can do it through our website or our convenient mobile app.
Will I receive status alerts?
Yes, you’ll receive alerts if someone is trying to pull your credit report or if your credit report changes in a critical way.
Is it free?
It depends. TrueIdentity offers free locking of your TransUnion credit report and alerts. TransUnion Credit Monitoring is a paid subscription that offers locking of your TransUnion and Equifax reports, alerts and additional features. Both offer ID theft insurance.
Protected Consumer Freeze: How to Protect a Minor or Incapacitated Adult
A Protected Consumer Freeze is a freeze that a parent, guardian or person with a valid power of attorney can place for a minor or incapacitated adult. When a Protected Consumer Freeze is placed, it will remain on a credit file until you request its removal. Aminor can also request its removal themselves once they are 16 years old or older.
To place a Protected Consumer Freeze for a minor or incapacitated adult, mail TransUnion a request with documents proving you have the authority to act on their behalf. A parent or guardian can place a Protected Consumer Freeze for children aged 15 and younger. Learn more about what to provide and where to send everything below.
Spouses can add or remove freezes for each other by phone at 888-909-8872. You can learn more about the process here.
While you can’t freeze a deceased family member’s credit report, you can update their credit report to show as deceased. Learn more about the steps to make that update here.
Typically, minors won’t have a credit file. They might if you’ve added your child as an authorized user on one of your credit accounts. However, if they have a credit report but you never added them as an authorized user, it may be a sign of fraud.
Read our blog to learn more about child identity theft. If you suspect your child’s identity has been compromised, use our secure Child Identity Theft Inquiry Form to find out of a credit file exists in their name.
Get started with Freeze for free
through our TransUnion Service Center, where you can:
- Control who can access your credit information with Credit Freeze
Are you applying for credit or has a lender referred you here to lift a freeze on your TransUnion credit report? You’re in the right place.
- Manage or fix any inaccuracies on your credit report
- Place Fraud Alerts to protect your identity
- Add a note to your report around any COVID-19 or other financial considerations.
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The credit scores provided are based on the VantageScore® 3.0 model. Lenders use a variety of credit scores and are likely to use a credit score different from VantageScore® 3.0 to assess your creditworthiness.
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