How to Freeze Your Experian Credit Report

If you’re looking to safeguard your credit file, freezing your credit can be a good option. Not only is it easy to do, but it’s also free to freeze your credit file with Experian. In doing so, you will disable anyone from requesting a copy of your Experian credit report, which eliminates any new accounts from being fraudulently opened in your name. Follow along to learn how to freeze your credit with Experian online, by phone or by mail.

What Is an Experian Credit Freeze?

An Experian credit freeze restricts access to your credit file. Freezing your credit help prevents any potential lenders from accessing it, which helps protect you from identity theft and fraud. In other words, when you freeze your Experian credit file, any attempts to apply for credit and open new accounts using your personal information will be blocked if the lender pulls credit reports from Experian. In order to fully protect your credit and identity, you will need to freeze your credit with all three of the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).

Freezing your credit does not affect existing accounts or your credit score. However, if you decide to apply for a loan or credit card, you will be denied as lenders won’t be able to pull your credit until you unfreeze your credit.

Why Would Someone Free Their Credit?

The purpose of a credit freeze is to ensure no one can access your credit file. What this does is prevent anyone from applying for credit in your name without your knowledge. It also helps uphold your credit score, as any time there is a hard inquiry on your credit, your credit score typically drops about five points.

Is a Credit Freeze and a Credit Lock the Same Thing?

A credit freeze and a credit lock are similar but not the same. A credit freeze is a tool consumers can use to prevent new accounts from being opened in their name. It is sometimes referred to as “security freeze” or “fraud alert.” Meanwhile, a credit lock is a tool you can use to prevent criminals from accessing your personal information or opening new accounts in your name.

Unlike a credit freeze, which typically requires a PIN number for future credit file access, credit locks are usually operated online and through mobile apps with instantaneous access. Credit locks can also be quickly reversed if someone needs to open an account in the future. Neither has an impact on your credit score.

When Should You Freeze Your Credit

People decide to freeze their credit for a number of reasons, though the primary reason is to help prevent credit fraud and identity theft. Typically, people freeze their credit files after experiencing suspicious activity or confirmed identity theft. However, you don’t have to wait for something to happen to safeguard your credit. Granted, you don’t want to freeze your credit if you plan to apply for a loan or credit in the near future as lenders will need to be able to pull your credit to make an application decision.

Learn more about what a credit freeze is, including how to decide if it’s the right choice for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Freeze Credit With Experian?

It’s free to freeze your credit with Experian, so you don’t have to worry about paying anything when filing a request to free (or unfreeze) your Experian credit file. This is also true of the other two major credit bureaus, TransUnion and Equifax, which you should also request a credit freeze in order to further protect your credit files.

How to Freeze Your Experian Credit Report Online

The fastest way to freeze your credit with Experian is through its online user portal. To do so, simply go to Experian and sign up for a free account. After signing up, go to your new account dashboard and navigate to the credit freeze page. On the credit freeze page, click the option to freeze your credit and follow the prompts.

Here’s how to freeze your credit file with Experian in three steps:

1. Create your Experian online account (it’s free)
2. From the account dashboard, navigate to the credit freeze page
3. From there, submit your request to freeze your credit.

Once your freeze request has gone through, you will then be able to run through this same process to unfreeze your credit.

How to Freeze Your Experian Credit Report By Phone

If you prefer to request a credit freeze over the phone, you can do so by calling Experian at 888-397-3742. Once you’re connected with a representative, you will be asked a series of questions, such as your full name, date of birth, SSN, current address and any recent past addresses, as well as proof of address and identity verification questions.

How to Freeze Your Experian Credit Report By Mail

If you prefer to request a credit freeze by mail, you can compile the required information and send it via mail to:

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

In general, you’ll need to include your full name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, address, proof of address (e.g., via a utility bill), a copy of your government-issued ID card (i.e., a driver’s license or passport) to verify your identity. For more detailed information on what to include in your request, visit Experian.

How to Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian

There are three ways to unfreeze your credit file with Experian: online, by phone or mail.

To unfreeze your credit online:

1. Go to Experian and log into your account
2. From your account dashboard, navigate to the Help Center
3. Navigate to the quick actions section, where you can unfreeze your credit using the freeze/unfreeze toggle.

If you’d prefer to unfreeze your credit by phone, call Experian at 888-397-3742.

To unfreeze your credit by mail, send your request via registered mail to:

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

Bottom Line

Freezing your credit is a good way to help safeguard your accounts and protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. Keep in mind that for full protection you will need to freeze your credit at the other two major credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion). And while a credit freeze is a great step toward preventing fraud, it does not prevent criminals from accessing your existing accounts–it only prevents them from opening new accounts in your name. So it’s worth taking additional measures to protect against fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)