Credit freeze
A free request to a credit bureau that prevents new creditors from accessing your credit report, which blocks new accounts from being opened in your name. Useful after identity theft or as preventive protection.
Full definition
A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) is a request to each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent new creditors from pulling your credit report. With a freeze in place, identity thieves can't easily open accounts in your name because lenders that can't pull your file usually decline. You can place, lift, or remove a freeze for free under federal law (Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, 2018). Lifting takes about an hour through each bureau's online portal. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score or your existing accounts.
- Written by
- Get Advance Loan Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Compliance Review
- Published
- January 15, 2026
- Last reviewed
- May 22, 2026
- Credit scoreA three-digit number (typically 300 to 850) summarising your credit history. Lenders use it to predict the likelihood you'll repay.
- FICO scoreFICO is the credit-scoring model used in roughly 90% of U.S. lending decisions. Scores range from 300 to 850.
- VantageScoreVantageScore is a competing credit-scoring model jointly developed by the three major credit bureaus. Also runs 300 to 850.
- Credit reportA record of your credit history maintained by the three U.S. credit bureaus. You're entitled to one free copy per year from each bureau.
- Soft credit inquiryA credit check that does not affect your credit score. Used for pre-qualification and rate-shopping.
- Hard credit inquiryA credit check that may lower your credit score a few points and remains on your credit report for up to 24 months.
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