How To Lock Your Credit at All Three Bureaus

You lock your credit by signing up with each of the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- and turning the lock on through each bureau’s app or website. The lock blocks most lenders from pulling your credit report until you toggle it back off. You have to manage the lock with all three bureaus separately, since each one keeps its own report on you.

Locking your credit helps reduce the chance that someone opens a new credit card, loan or financing account in your name. It doesn't stop every kind of fraud, but it can be a useful layer of protection if your personal information was exposed, your wallet was stolen or you want more control over new-credit access.

Key Takeaways

• Lock all three bureaus separately. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion each keep their own credit report, so you need to turn on a credit lock with each one through its app or website to fully block new-credit access.

• A lock and a freeze aren't the same. A credit freeze is free at every bureau under federal law and offers stronger long-term protection, while a credit lock gives you faster app-based control but may come with a fee.

• Pick the tool that fits your habits. Choose a freeze if you rarely apply for new credit and want no-cost legal protection. Choose a lock if you want quick on-off control from your phone.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

What Is a Credit Lock?

A credit lock is a tool from a credit bureau that lets you instantly block and unblock access to your credit report through an app or website.

A lock can help prevent new-account fraud because many lenders need to access your credit report before approving a new credit card, loan or financing account. If your report is locked, that lender may not be able to complete the application.

Credit Lock Definition

A credit lock is a tool from a credit bureau that lets you instantly block and unblock access to your credit report through an app or website.

Credit Freeze Definition

A credit freeze is a free, federally protected setting that restricts access to your credit report at each bureau and must be lifted with an online login, phone request or other bureau-approved process before a new lender can check it.

How To Lock Your Credit File With Each Bureau

You have to lock your credit at all three bureaus to fully protect your file. Here’s how to do it:

How To Lock Your Credit With Equifax Lock & Alert

1. Go to the Equifax Lock & Alert page or download the Lock & Alert app.

2. Create a free account with your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number.

3. Verify your identity by answering a few questions about your credit history.

4. Tap the toggle to lock your Equifax credit report. Tap again to unlock it.

5. Need help? Call Equifax customer service at 888-298-0045.

How To Lock Your Credit With Experian CreditLock

1. Sign up for an Experian account at the Experian website or in the Experian app.

2. CreditLock is included with a paid Experian membership, so choose a plan that fits your needs.

3. Verify your identity with personal details and a few credit history questions.

4. Open the CreditLock screen and toggle the lock on. Toggle it off when you want to apply for credit.

5. Need help? Call Experian customer service at 888-397-3742.

How To Lock Your Credit With TransUnion TrueIdentity/Credit Lock

1. Create a free TrueIdentity account on the TransUnion website or app.

2. Confirm your identity with your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number.

3. Answer the security questions tied to your credit history.

4. Use the lock toggle in your dashboard to lock or unlock your TransUnion report.

5. Need help? Call TransUnion customer service at 800-916-8800.

Pricing changes often, so check each bureau’s website before signing up.

As of May 2026, Equifax Lock & Alert is no cost. TransUnion offers a no-cost credit lock through TrueIdentity, with a paid TransUnion plan that adds three-bureau monitoring. Experian’s CreditLock is bundled into Experian paid memberships. Review the current terms before enrolling.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

Why You Might Lock or Freeze Your Credit

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, consumers filed more than 1.1 million identity theft reports in 2024. FTC data also showed that consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year. Locking or freezing your credit is one of the simplest ways to make it harder for a thief to open new accounts in your name.

A credit lock helps protect against:

• New credit cards opened in your name

• Personal loans opened with your information

• Certain financing accounts

• Some retail cards

• Some identity theft attempts involving new credit

A credit lock doesn't usually stop:

• Fraud on existing credit cards

• Bank account fraud

• Debit card theft

• Tax identity theft

• Medical identity theft

• Someone using your login information

• Existing creditors from reviewing your account

A lock helps with new-credit access. It doesn't replace account monitoring, strong passwords or fraud alerts if someone has already used your personal information.

Credit Lock vs. Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert

A credit lock, credit freeze and fraud alert can all help reduce identity theft risk, but they work differently.

The FTC says credit freezes and fraud alerts can help protect you from identity theft by making it harder for scammers to open new credit accounts in your name. The CFPB says credit locks are no more effective than security freezes, and freezes are free by law.

When Should You Lock vs. Freeze Your Credit?

Both tools protect your credit file, but the right pick depends on how often you apply for new credit and how much control you want. Choose a credit freeze if any of these sound like you:

• You rarely apply for new credit cards, loans or apartments.

• You want the strongest legal protection backed by federal law.

• You want a no-cost option for yourself, your kids or a family member who can’t manage it themselves.

• You’re a recent identity theft victim and want the most secure block.

Choose a credit lock if any of these sound like you:

• You want to turn protection on and off quickly from your phone.

• You apply for new credit often and don’t want to manage freeze lifts.

• You’re already paying for a credit monitoring plan that includes a lock.

• You want quick control without calling or waiting on the bureau.

How Fast Is a Credit Freeze?

Credit freezes are free and fast when you place them online or by phone. If you request a freeze online or by phone, the credit reporting agency must place the freeze within one business day. If you request a lift, the agency must lift it within one hour. Requests made by mail must be placed or lifted within three business days after the agency receives your request.

That means an older claim that freezes take three to five business days as the default is outdated. Online and phone requests are usually much faster.

When Should You Unlock Your Credit?

You may need to unlock your credit before a lender, landlord or service provider checks your report. Consider unlocking your credit before applying for:

• Credit cards

• Personal loans

• Auto loans

• Mortgages

• Student loans

• Apartment rentals

• Certain phone plans

• Some utility accounts

• Retail financing

Ask the lender or company which credit bureau it plans to use. If it only checks one bureau, you may only need to unlock that report. If you’re comparing multiple lenders, you may need to unlock all three.

Does Locking Your Credit Hurt Your Credit Score?

No. Locking your credit doesn't hurt your credit score. It only restricts access to your credit report for certain new-credit checks.

Your score can still change while your credit is locked. Existing creditors may continue reporting payments, balances and account updates. Your score may also change based on credit utilization, payment history, account age and other credit activity.

Can You Still Use Credit Cards When Your Credit Is Locked?

Yes. Locking your credit does not stop you from using existing credit cards, loans or bank accounts. You can generally still:

• Use your current credit cards

• Make loan payments

• Receive account statements

• Pay down balances

• Build payment history

• Check your own credit

A lock mainly affects new credit applications that require access to your credit report.

How To Protect Yourself Beyond a Credit Lock

A credit lock can help, but it does not cover every type of fraud. Use it with other protective habits.

The FTC says consumers can report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s recovery resource for identity theft victims. The CFPB also recommends placing fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit reports if you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

The Bottom Line

To lock your credit, create an account with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, then turn on each bureau’s credit lock feature separately. A credit lock can help block new-account fraud by restricting access to your credit report.

Before you choose a credit lock, compare it with a credit freeze. A freeze is free by law and may be the stronger long-term option. If you want fast app-based control, a lock may be convenient, but check whether it comes with a fee or paid monitoring plan.

Key Terms

Credit lock: A bureau tool that lets you block or allow access to your credit report through an app or website to help prevent some new-account fraud.

Credit freeze: A free, federally protected restriction that limits access to your credit report until you lift it before applying for new credit.

Fraud alert: A free notice on your credit report that tells lenders to verify your identity before opening a new account in your name.

Credit report: A record of your credit history, including accounts, payment history, balances and credit inquiries that lenders may review when you apply for credit.

Identity theft: A crime where someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission to commit fraud.

Sources:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit freeze or security freeze on my credit report?

Federal Trade Commission: Credit freezes and fraud alerts

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit report?

Federal Trade Commission: What To Know About Identity Theft

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Credit Lock FAQ

Is locking your credit free? Locking your Equifax credit report is free through Lock & Alert. TransUnion offers a free credit lock through TrueIdentity. Experian’s CreditLock is part of a paid Experian membership, so you may pay a monthly fee for that one. A credit freeze, by comparison, is free at all three bureaus under federal law.

Does locking your credit hurt your credit score? No. Locking your credit doesn’t affect your credit score in any way. The lock only controls who can pull your credit report. It doesn’t change your payment history, credit utilization, account age or any other scoring factor. You can lock and unlock as often as you want without hurting your score.

How long does it take to lock your credit? A credit lock is usually near-instant once your account is set up. After you create an account with a bureau and verify your identity, toggling the lock on or off often takes seconds in the app or on the website. First-time setup may take several minutes per bureau.

What’s the difference between a credit lock and a credit freeze? A credit freeze is a free, federally regulated tool you manage with each bureau. A credit lock is a bureau product you toggle in an app or online account, often as part of a paid plan. Freezes offer stronger legal protection. Locks offer faster, more flexible control.

Can you still use your credit card if your credit is locked? Yes. A credit lock only stops new lenders from pulling your credit report. It doesn’t touch your existing credit cards, loans or bank accounts. You can keep using your card, paying bills and using autopay as normal while your credit is locked.

Do you need to lock all three credit bureaus? Yes, if you want broader protection. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion each maintain separate credit reports. Locking one bureau does not automatically lock the other two.

Is a credit lock enough to stop identity theft? No. A credit lock can help stop some new-account fraud, but it does not stop every type of identity theft. You should also monitor financial accounts, use strong passwords, turn on multifactor authentication and consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if your information was exposed.