Being Tricky
The short answer
To freeze your credit, contact each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, separately.
At a glance
About 15 minutes · Medium · For Security
Key point 1 of 5
A freeze restricts access to your credit report.
Key point 2 of 5
You need to freeze at all three.
Key point 3 of 5
Years ago each bureau mailed you a freeze PIN, and losing it was a headache.
Key point 4 of 5
Experian: sign in, choose Schedule a thaw, then Add a thaw and pick a start and end date.
Key point 5 of 5
Children are attractive targets because nobody checks their credit for years.
Quick tip
Pick an end date a week or two out. The freeze switches back on by itself, so you can't forget.
Watch out
Type the bureau web addresses yourself or use the links in our sources list.
You might ask
Does freezing my credit cost anything? No. Placing, lifting and removing a freeze is free at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion under federal law.
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Being Tricky