How to Manage Your Experian Credit Freeze

A credit freeze is a great way to protect your credit reports. Not only is it free but it goes into effect quickly, preventing financial scammers from stealing your information and opening accounts in your name.

Experian is one of the three credit bureaus to offer this option, also known as a security freeze. You’ll need to freeze your credit with each of these bureaus to get the strongest protection. (Learn how to initiate an Equifax credit freeze and a TransUnion credit freeze.)

How to place an Experian credit freeze

There are several ways to freeze your Experian credit or get information about how to do it, and a PIN is no longer required. We’ll take you step-by-step through each option:

How to freeze your Experian credit online

You can freeze your Experian credit by going to its credit freeze page and either signing up to create an account or logging in if you already have one.

The Experian's freeze site looks like this:

If you're signing up for an account, you’ll need to input info such as your name, address, Social Security number and contact info. If you already have an Experian account, just log in and then you can toggle between the "frozen" and "unfrozen" options for your credit report.

An online credit freeze will go into effect immediately.

How to freeze your Experian credit by phone

If you prefer to get information about the process by phone, the number is 888-397-3742 (888-EXPERIAN).

You’ll be asked to provide personal data, such as your Social Security number.

How to freeze your Experian credit by mail

If you prefer to use the mail, send your request by certified mail to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.

Your letter should include your full name, Social Security number, birthdate, two years’ worth of addresses, a government-issued ID card, such as a driver’s license, and a utility bill or other acceptable proof of address.

You can expect your credit freeze to take effect within three days of Experian receiving your request by mail.

What does an Experian credit freeze do?

If you freeze your credit, you’ll still be able to use it as you do now, but you won’t be able to apply for new credit without first lifting the freeze. That means if your personal data was compromised during a breach, no one else can use it to create a credit account, protecting your credit and saving you time and aggravation in trying to clear it up.

Freezing and unfreezing your credit reports does not affect your credit score. With the appropriate paperwork, you can also freeze your child’s credit as an extra precaution.

» Learn more: How to protect your child’s credit

If you need to apply for credit in the near future, you can temporarily lift the freeze and either manually add it back after your application or purchase is complete or use the option to lift the freeze for a scheduled amount of time. After that time period, the freeze will automatically be reapplied, so it’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Experian credit thaw instructions

It’s just as easy to “thaw” or unfreeze your credit as it is to freeze it, and it’s also free. You must complete the process at all three bureaus individually with one exception: If you’re making a single credit application — say, getting preapproved for a car loan or an apartment. In this case, you may be able to find out which credit bureau’s data the lender is using and lift the freeze there, saving you some time.

To lift your credit freeze with Experian, follow these steps:

• Online: Log in to your Experian account through the Experian Freeze Center home page, just as you did to place the freeze. You’ll have the option to temporarily or permanently unfreeze your credit. 

• By phone: Call the automated line at 888-397-3742. You’ll go through steps to verify your identity, similar to what you experienced when placing a freeze over the phone.

• By mail: Send a written request that includes your name, address and Social Security number to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.