Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock: What's the Difference?

Key Takeaways

Freezes are free and legally protected
Locks may cost money and have fewer protections
Both block new credit applications
Neither affects your credit score
You must freeze/lock at all three bureaus

Both credit freezes and credit locks prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name. However, they have important differences in legal protections, cost, and convenience.

What Is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) is a legal tool that restricts access to your credit report. When your credit is frozen, creditors cannot view your report, preventing most new accounts from being opened.

Credit Freeze Features

Free by law: Since 2018, credit freezes are free nationwide under federal law
Legally regulated: Protected under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state laws
Blocks soft inquiries: Prevents most access to your credit report
PIN protected: Requires a PIN or password to lift
Permanent until lifted: Stays in place until you remove it

Freezes Are Your Legal Right

Under federal law, everyone has the right to place and lift credit freezes for free. Bureaus must freeze your credit within one business day and lift it within one hour of online/phone request.

What Is a Credit Lock?

A credit lock is a service offered by credit bureaus that also blocks access to your credit report. Unlike freezes, locks are a contractual service, not a legal right.

Credit Lock Features

May cost money: Basic locks may be free, but premium features often require subscription
Easier toggling: Often can be locked/unlocked via app instantly
Contract-based: Governed by terms of service, not federal law
May include extras: Often bundled with credit monitoring and other services
Bureau-specific: Each bureau has its own lock service

Bureau Lock Services

Experian: CreditLock (part of premium subscription)
Equifax: Lock & Alert (free basic, premium available)
TransUnion: TrueIdentity (free) or paid products

Read the Fine Print

Credit lock terms of service may limit your legal recourse if something goes wrong. Freezes have legal protections that locks may not. Consider this when choosing between them.

Key Differences

Feature	Credit Freeze	Credit Lock
Cost	Always free (by law)	Free to $25+/month
Legal Protection	Federal and state laws	Terms of service only
Speed to Lift	Within 1 hour (online/phone)	Instant via app
Convenience	May require PIN/password	App toggle on/off
Extras Included	Freeze only	May include monitoring
Liability	Bureau liable for breaches	Limited by contract

When to Choose Freeze

You want free, permanent protection
Legal protections matter to you
You rarely apply for new credit
You don't need credit monitoring bundled

When to Choose Lock

You frequently toggle access on/off
App convenience is important to you
You want bundled credit monitoring
You're willing to pay for premium features

How to Freeze Your Credit

Freeze at Experian
Visit experian.com/freeze or call 1-888-397-3742. Create an account, verify your identity, and request a freeze. Save your PIN securely.
Freeze at Equifax
Visit equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze or call 1-800-685-1111. Verify identity and request freeze. Save your PIN.
Freeze at TransUnion
Visit transunion.com/credit-freeze or call 1-888-909-8872. Create account, verify identity, request freeze. Save your PIN.
Store PINs Securely
Keep your freeze PINs in a secure location. You'll need them to temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze when applying for credit.

Lifting a Freeze

When you need to apply for credit, you can temporarily lift your freeze online or by phone. Specify a time period (some bureaus allow creditor-specific lifts). The freeze automatically re-enables after the period ends.

Don't Forget All Three Bureaus

You must freeze your credit at all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) separately. A freeze at one bureau doesn't affect the others. Creditors may use any bureau, so protect all three.

Check Your Credit Before Freezing

Review your credit report for unauthorized accounts before placing a freeze. Fixing errors now prevents locking in inaccurate information.

Check Your Report Learn how it works

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Credit freezes and locks don't affect your credit score. They only prevent new credit applications. Your existing accounts continue to work normally and your score isn't impacted.

Credit freezes offer stronger legal protections and are always free. Locks may offer more convenience but often require paid subscriptions. For most people, freezes provide the best protection.

Yes. A freeze only prevents NEW credit applications. Your existing credit cards, loans, and accounts work normally. The freeze blocks creditors from viewing your report for new applications.

By law, bureaus must lift freezes within one hour when requested online or by phone, and within three business days when requested by mail. Locks are typically instant via app.

Yes. Children are targets for identity theft because it often goes undetected for years. All three bureaus offer free freezes for minors under 16, though the process requires more documentation.