How to Freeze Your Credit at All Three Major US Bureaus

A credit freeze is presented as a free and effective way to guard against identity theft by blocking lenders from accessing your credit report. Under federal law the freeze costs nothing, does not affect your credit score, and can be lifted whenever you need to apply for credit. Because each bureau operates separately, a freeze must be placed individually with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, using their online portals or phone lines. The freeze typically takes effect within minutes online, though phone and mail requests take longer, and the article advises creating a PIN or password and keeping confirmations safe. The piece also notes that a freeze does not stop misuse of existing cards or block every type of prescreened offer, so continued account monitoring remains advisable.