How to freeze your credit: US credit freeze vs UK options

Quick answer: In the US, a credit freeze is free and stops anyone, including you, from opening new credit in your name until you lift it. You place it with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The UK has no identical freeze, but Cifas Protective Registration (GBP 25 for two years) adds extra checks.

A credit freeze is one of the strongest steps against identity theft, and it takes minutes. It is especially useful after a data breach, a lost wallet or a phishing scare. Many people never set one up because they think it costs money or hurts their credit score. According to the FTC, neither is true.

This explainer covers how a freeze works in the US, how it differs from a fraud alert, and what UK readers can do instead. It is general information, not financial or legal advice.

What does a credit freeze do?

The FTC says that while a freeze is in place, nobody can open a new credit account in your name. That includes you, so you must lift it when you need new credit, a job check, an apartment or insurance. The freeze does not affect your credit score, and anyone can place one for any reason, even if identity theft has not happened.

The freeze lasts until you lift it. The FTC’s September 2025 consumer alert notes it is especially useful after identity theft, a lost wallet or a data breach.

How do I freeze my credit in the US?

Contact all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze at one bureau does not cover the others. The FTC links to a bureau contact page at IdentityTheft.gov.
Confirm each freeze and save the confirmation details somewhere safe, such as a password manager. Our list of free password managers can help.
Repeat for family if relevant. The FTC says parents can request a free freeze for a child under 16, though the process differs from an adult freeze.

The law that made freezes free took effect in September 2018, per the FTC announcement. Before that, bureaus could charge fees.

How do I lift or thaw a freeze?

Contact the bureau and ask to lift it. The FTC suggests lifting it only at the bureau the lender will check, such as when you apply for a card or car loan, then refreezing afterward. Placing or lifting a freeze is free. Ask the lender which bureau it uses before you apply.

Freeze or fraud alert, which should I use?

The FTC explains the difference. A fraud alert does not block access to your report. It tells lenders to verify your identity before granting credit.

Initial fraud alert: free, lasts one year, renewable. You contact one bureau and it notifies the other two.
Extended fraud alert: lasts seven years and needs an identity theft report from IdentityTheft.gov or a police report.
Active duty alert: for servicemembers, lasts one year and can be renewed for a deployment.

A freeze and an alert can be used together. If your identity was stolen, the FTC says to report it at IdentityTheft.gov for a free recovery plan.

What can I do in the UK and Europe?

The UK does not use the US-style freeze, based on the sources reviewed. The Stop! Think Fraud guidance lists these options:

Check your credit reports. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are the UK credit reference agencies. Checks are free and do not affect your score.
Cifas Protective Registration: GBP 25 for two years. Member organisations, including most banks, credit providers and telecoms companies, run extra checks when your details are used to apply.
Notice of Correction: a free password that lenders must ask for before lending in your name. A paid fraud alert option also exists, but the fee was not stated.

If credit has been taken in your name, tell the lender immediately, report it to the police and ask for a crime reference number. The NCSC’s breach guidance is a useful starting point after a leak. EU and other countries have different rules, so check your national consumer or data protection authority.

What does a freeze not stop?

A freeze targets new credit accounts. It does not by itself stop someone from using a stolen card on an existing account, so keep watching statements. It also does not stop phishing. Read how to report a scam and what to do after a data breach. More guides are in our more Security guides section.

Frequently asked questions

Does a credit freeze cost money?

Not in the US. The FTC says there is no cost to place or lift a freeze, and it does not affect your credit score.

Do I need to freeze at all three bureaus?

Yes. The FTC advises contacting Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Will a freeze affect my existing credit cards?

The FTC pages reviewed do not describe any effect on existing accounts. A freeze is aimed at new accounts opened in your name.

Is there a UK credit freeze?

Not in the same form, based on the UK government guidance reviewed. Cifas Protective Registration, free credit report checks and a Notice of Correction are the options it lists.