Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts Explained
A credit freeze or fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open credit in your name. What each does, how they differ by country, and when to use them.
When your personal details leak, one of the biggest risks is someone using them to open credit in your name. Credit freezes and fraud alerts are tools that make lenders check more carefully, or stop them seeing your file at all. What is available depends on where you live.
Credit freeze
- What it does: restricts access to your credit report, so most lenders cannot check it and are unlikely to approve new credit.
- Where: in the United States, it is free at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). You need to place it with each one.
- When you need credit: you temporarily lift the freeze, then put it back.
- Effect on score: in the US, none.
Fraud alert
- What it does: tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening credit.
- Where: in the United States, placing an alert with one bureau means it tells the other two. Initial alerts last one year; identity theft victims can get extended alerts.
Other countries
| Where | What to look for |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Cifas protective registration adds an extra check to applications in your name; credit reference agencies can also add notices to your file. |
| Other countries | Ask your national credit reference agencies or bureaus whether they offer freezes, alerts or ban periods, and ask your bank about extra verification. |
Where no formal tool exists, tell your bank and mobile network about the risk, and check your credit record regularly. See checking your credit record.
When to use them
- After a breach that exposed ID numbers or dates of birth. See leaked ID numbers.
- After your wallet, passport or ID was stolen.
- After you sent ID to a scammer.
- When you find an account opened in your name. See account opened in my name.
Place freezes and alerts only through the official bureau or agency websites, reached by typing the address. Scammers run fake "freeze your credit" pages too.
Got an offer to "protect your credit" by message? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
For the full process, see how to respond to identity fraud in our complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does a credit freeze affect my credit score?
In the United States, a freeze does not affect your credit score. It restricts access to your credit report for new credit applications until you lift it.
Can I still use my existing cards with a freeze?
Yes. A freeze stops new credit being opened using your file; it does not stop your existing accounts.
Do all countries offer credit freezes?
No. The United States offers free freezes and fraud alerts. Other countries have different tools, such as protective registration in the UK. Ask your national credit reference agencies what is available.
Sources
- Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts, US Federal Trade Commission
- Protective Registration, Cifas (UK)
- What To Know About Identity Theft, US Federal Trade Commission
