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If you've placed a freeze on your credit report, as a precaution or because you've been a victim of fraud or identity theft, you'll need to unfreeze your report before applying for credit.
Until you lift the freeze, potential lenders and credit card issuers won't be able to view your payment history and debts, which helps them determine whether to lend you money or issue you a credit card.
Here's what to know about applying for credit after you've placed a freeze on your credit report.
What Is a Credit Freeze?
You have the right to add a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, which limits access to your credit reports. It's designed to prevent criminals from using your personal information to fraudulently open new accounts in your name. To freeze all your credit reports, you must set up a separate freeze with each of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax).
When there's a security freeze on your account, the credit bureaus cannot give potential lenders access to your credit report in connection with an application for credit. Some parties, though, can check your credit report when there's a freeze on it. These include your current creditors, companies responding to your application for non-credit services—like employers, landlords or utility providers—and debt collectors seeking to recoup unpaid debt.
The easiest way to request a free Experian security freeze is by visiting Experian's online security freeze center, though you can also do so by phone or mail. When you request a credit freeze online or by phone, Experian will typically freeze your report almost instantly. If you submit a request by mail, it will be a longer process: The freeze will take effect up to three days after receipt of your letter.
Why You Can't Apply for Credit With a Frozen Credit Report
A credit freeze locks access to your credit report and prevents certain parties from viewing it, which makes it impossible to apply for new credit.
When lenders process your credit applications, their customary first step is to request access to your credit report and, often, a credit score based on that report. So, while a credit freeze prevents criminals from using your personal information to open fraudulent credit accounts, it also prevents you from using your credentials to obtain new credit. So, if you apply for a loan or credit card while your credit is frozen, the creditor will likely deny the application or give it a status of "pending" until you lift the freeze.
Tip: You can easily remove a credit freeze when you need to provide access to your credit file—and replace the freeze afterward, if you choose.
What You Can Do With a Frozen Credit Report
While a credit freeze prevents you from being approved for new credit, it doesn't stop you from using the credit you already have. Here are some examples of what you can still do with frozen credit:
- Use your existing credit cards. While others can't access your credit report and you can't get new types of credit, you can continue to use existing credit cards and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). These types of revolving credit let you charge up to a credit limit and pay off the balance on your own timeline, and if you already have them, they're not affected by a credit freeze.
- Pay off existing loans. The same goes for loans, such as student loans, car loans, personal loans and mortgages, that you are currently paying off. You can—indeed, should—keep making the required payments. This on-time payment history will continue to be added to your credit report, strengthening your credit score.
- Check your own credit report. You may view your own credit report anytime, even when it's frozen. You can get a free copy of your credit report from Experian or copies from each of the three credit bureaus once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Monitor your credit score. You'll also be able to check your own credit score while your credit report is frozen. This will help you notice any issues that could affect your score, such as late payments or high credit utilization on your credit cards.
Tip: When you apply for non-lending services that require a credit check, like an apartment rental, a job or a contract with a utility company, those companies can still access your credit report if you have a freeze in place.
How to Unfreeze Your Credit
If you're applying for a loan or credit card and want lenders to have access to your credit reports, you can lift the freeze online, by phone or by mail. You can temporarily or permanently unfreeze, or thaw, your credit reports. You must do so at all three credit bureaus to allow full access to your credit history.
Here are the two ways to lift a freeze:
- Temporary lift: This removes a credit freeze for a specific number of days, then reinstates the freeze afterward. You can schedule a temporary lift for a time when you know you'll be applying for credit, potentially with multiple lenders to get the best rates and terms possible. You'll have peace of mind knowing your personal data is automatically protected after the scheduled thaw ends.
- Permanent lift: This removes a credit freeze without reinstating it. It's not advisable if you know your personal data has been compromised, or if you've already been a victim of fraud. One exception is if you take other measures to protect yourself, such as adding a fraud alert to your credit reports, which you have the right to do. This instructs lenders to verify your identity before proceeding with any credit applications.
With an Experian account, you can manage your credit freeze online by logging in to your account and toggling the freeze status to frozen or unfrozen. When you toggle to unfrozen, Experian will lift your freeze right away. You can also schedule a future thaw using the calendar option.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You Freeze Your Credit?
You have the right to freeze your credit at any time for any reason. It's most important to freeze your credit if you have reason to believe your sensitive personal information has been made available to fraudsters, such as if you were a victim of a data breach, identity theft or fraud. That said, it's never a bad idea to freeze your credit to protect your information, even if bad actors haven't yet accessed it.
How Long Should You Keep Your Credit Frozen?
You can keep your credit frozen indefinitely, occasionally thawing it when you want to apply for credit. Freezing and unfreezing your credit is always free. Keeping your credit frozen is particularly worthwhile if you were a victim of fraud and thieves may already have your personal data. But it can also be a method of protecting your credit and personal information over the long term, even if your data hasn't been exposed.
Do Credit Freezes Block Soft Inquires?
No, credit freezes don't block soft inquiries. A landlord, utility company or employer may run a soft credit check to assess your application, or a government entity like a child support agency may request to view information in your credit report. That means these parties can view your credit report even when it's frozen.
The Bottom Line
A credit freeze will prevent lenders from viewing your credit report in connection with credit applications. While that means you must proactively unfreeze your credit report when necessary, opting for a freeze is a safe way to protect your credit, particularly if you've been the victim of identity theft or fraud.
No matter your experience with compromised data, it's wise to regularly view your credit report for accuracy. Free credit monitoring with Experian will allow you to see your Experian credit report and score, and alert you anytime there's suspicious activity in your credit file.