Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion under federal consumer law
Free Credit Security Freeze
Consumers have a federal right to place, temporarily lift, and remove a security freeze on their files at each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies for free.
Consumer freezing their own nationwide credit filesAuthorized representative requesting a protected-consumer freeze
Entitlement facts
Benefit type
Government benefit. A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route. Taxonomy definition →
What it unlocks
Free restriction of prospective-creditor access to a credit file, making it harder for an identity thief to open a new credit account in the consumer's name.
Who qualifies
Consumer freezing their own nationwide credit files; Authorized representative requesting a protected-consumer freeze
Requirements
The consumer must contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately and complete each company's identity-verification process. A parent, guardian, conservator, or authorized representative can request a protected-consumer freeze under current rules.
How to activate
Use the official freeze page or phone channel for each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies, verify identity, retain the account credentials or confirmation, and lift or remove each freeze when access is needed.
Cost basis
No-cost access. The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.
Cost and fees
Placing, temporarily lifting, and removing a statutory security freeze are free. Paid credit locks, monitoring, scores, and identity-protection products are separate and are not required.
Geography
US
Personalization
Published eligibility is not described as individually targeted.
EVIDENCE / 1 SOURCE
Eligibility is conditional, not guaranteed.
Check the provider's final terms immediately before applying, depositing funds, spending, or changing a paid relationship.
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Condition
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Personalized
No
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Personalized
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