Short answer. A credit freeze stops most lenders from seeing your credit report, so new accounts are hard to open in your name until you lift it. A fraud alert leaves your report open but asks businesses to check it's really you first. Both are free. A freeze must be placed at each of the three bureaus; a fraud alert placed at one bureau is passed to the other two.
The difference at a glance
What it does
Credit freeze: Blocks access to your report, so most new credit can't be approved
Fraud alert: Asks businesses to contact you, usually by phone, before opening an account
Cost
Credit freeze: Free to place and lift
Fraud alert: Free
How long
Credit freeze: Until you remove it
Fraud alert: One year, renewable; seven years (extended) after identity theft
Where to place it
Credit freeze: Each bureau: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Fraud alert: Any one bureau, which must tell the other two
Sources: FTC freeze or fraud alert page and FTC: Free credit freezes are here.
What a freeze does and doesn't touch
The FTC calls a freeze "the best way you can protect against an identity thief opening new accounts in your name." It says a freeze won't change your credit score and won't stop you from using your existing cards, applying for a job, renting an apartment or buying insurance. What it does mean is that you'll need to lift it before applying for new credit.
How to place a freeze
- Contact all three bureaus. The FTC lists Equifax at 800-685-1111, Experian at 888-397-3742 and TransUnion at 888-909-8872, and each has an online freeze page.
- Requests online or by phone must be placed within one business day; by mail, within three business days after the bureau gets it.
- Save whatever each bureau gives you to manage the freeze: an account login or a PIN. Keep them somewhere you'll find them in a year.
- Check your reports afterward at AnnualCreditReport.com, which the CFPB says you can do free once a week.
How to lift it when you apply for credit
You can lift a freeze temporarily at no charge. The FTC says a lift requested online or by phone must happen within one hour; by mail, within three business days. If you know which bureau a lender or landlord uses, you can lift just that one, then freeze it again.
How to place a fraud alert
Contact any one bureau and ask for an initial fraud alert. It lasts one year and can be renewed free. If you've had identity theft, you can get an extended alert lasting seven years. Service members can place an active duty alert, which the FTC says lasts one year and can be renewed during deployment.
Freezes for children and others
The FTC says you can get a free freeze for a child under 16. Guardians, conservators and people with a valid power of attorney can also get one for the person they represent.
Freezes and "locks"
Some bureaus sell credit locks. The FTC notes locks may come with monthly fees, while a freeze is free and backed by federal law.
Which one fits
There's no single right answer. A freeze gives stronger protection against new accounts but means a step each time you apply for credit. A fraud alert is lighter: your report stays open, and lenders are asked to confirm it's you. Many people who've had identity theft use both. If you found an account that isn't yours, also dispute it (see disputing a credit report error).
Example: applying for an apartment with a freeze (hypothetical)
- Monday: The leasing office says it checks TransUnion.
- Monday, 7 p.m.: Lift the TransUnion freeze online for a set period. The FTC says an online or phone lift has to happen within one hour.
- Tuesday: The application goes through.
- After the period ends: Confirm the freeze is back on, and that Equifax and Experian stayed frozen the whole time.
The landlord and dates are invented for illustration.
Sources
- FTC: Credit freeze or fraud alert: which is right for you?
- FTC: Free credit freezes are here
- CFPB: How do I get a free copy of my credit reports? (reviewed Oct. 15, 2026)
- FTC: Disputing errors on your credit reports
Common questions
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. The FTC says a freeze won't change your credit score, and you can keep using your existing accounts.
Do I have to freeze all three bureaus?
Yes, for a freeze. The FTC says to contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A fraud alert is different: placing it at one bureau is enough, because that bureau must tell the other two.
How fast can I lift a freeze?
Within one hour if you ask online or by phone, and within three business days by mail, according to the FTC.
How long does a fraud alert last?
An initial alert lasts one year and can be renewed for free. After identity theft, an extended alert lasts seven years.
Can I freeze my child's credit?
Yes. The FTC says you can get a free freeze for a child under 16.
Related guides
- How to dispute an error on your credit report, step by step
- A debt collector called: your first five steps
- How to ask your credit card company for a hardship plan
This guide is general information, checked November 2026 against the official pages listed in Sources. It is not legal or financial advice, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm or a government agency. For advice about your own debt or a lawsuit, talk to a lawyer or a legal aid office.