{"id":16872,"date":"2025-03-07T21:53:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T21:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastccu1dev.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=16872"},"modified":"2025-03-07T21:53:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T21:53:50","slug":"freeze-unfreeze-credit-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coastccu.org\/freeze-unfreeze-credit-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Take Control: How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

A credit freeze\u2014also called a security freeze\u2014is an effective way to protect yourself against credit fraud. It\u2019s free, simple to do, and has no impact on your credit score!<\/span>
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\n<\/span>What is a credit freeze?<\/b>
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\n<\/b>A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, so others can\u2019t view your credit history. For example, if someone applies for a loan or credit card in your name, the lender or credit card issuer won\u2019t be able to access your credit report and will not approve the application. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>Who can access your credit report during a freeze?<\/b>
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\n<\/b>While your credit report is frozen, you can still access it\u2014and also see your credit score. Your current creditors, debt collectors, certain government entities (e.g., those handling child support), and any credit-monitoring services you\u2019ve subscribed to can also access your report. Additionally, marketers who want to send you offers may be able to view parts of your report.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Can you unfreeze your credit?<\/b>
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\n<\/b>You can temporarily lift your credit freeze for a set period, and your report will automatically be frozen again afterward. You can also lift the freeze for a specific lender or credit card company, while keeping your credit report frozen for everyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to loan and credit applications, you may also need to lift the freeze for other situations. For example, if a landlord, potential employer, or insurance company needs to perform a credit check, you can lift the freeze for that organization for a short period of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can lift your freeze as many times as you need, and you can also remove the credit freeze entirely whenever you want\u2014all for no cost!<\/span>
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\n<\/span>How do you freeze\/unfreeze your credit?<\/b>
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\n<\/b>You need to place a credit freeze with each of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can make the request online, by phone, or by mail.<\/span><\/p>\n