What Are My Rights Under The New Law That Makes Freezes Free

Under the new law that makes credit freezes free, you have the right to place, temporarily lift, and permanently remove a security freeze on your credit reports at all three major bureaus without paying a dime. Go to the website of each bureau right now and place one. The law also requires the bureaus to place a freeze within one business day online or by phone, and to lift it within one hour electronically, so you can demand speed when you need access restored quickly.

The free credit freeze and one-hour lift requirement

Schedule your temporary lift request during business hours and submit it online or by phone to trigger the mandatory one-hour thaw. The most powerful consumer protection in the new law is the mandatory one-hour thaw. If you request a temporary lift online or by phone, the credit bureau must remove the freeze within 60 minutes. This applies to both a full removal and a partial lift, such as when you are applying for a car loan and only want one lender to see your file. You do not need to wait on hold for days, and you do not need to mail a letter. The law is explicit: the clock starts the moment you submit your request through the bureau’s designated channel.

If the bureau misses the deadline, document the exact time of your request and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau immediately. What happens if the bureau fails to meet the one-hour deadline? The law does not create a private right to sue for money damages, but it does give you a powerful enforcement tool. You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which will investigate and can fine the bureau. You can also dispute the delay with the credit bureau itself, and you should document the exact time of your request. In practice, the major bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, have built automated systems to meet this requirement, but if you hit a glitch, push back and escalate to a supervisor.

Free freezes for children and incapacitated adults

Create a protected consumer freeze record for every minor under 16 and for any incapacitated adult in your care by submitting proof of your identity and your relationship to the protected person directly to each bureau. Before this law, freezing a child’s credit was a bureaucratic nightmare, often requiring mailed documents and a $10 fee per bureau. Now, you have the right to create a protected consumer freeze record for any minor under 16, and for an incapacitated adult for whom you are the legal guardian or attorney-in-fact. This is completely free. You must provide proof of your identity and your relationship to the protected person, such as a birth certificate, court order, or power of attorney. The bureau then creates a separate file that no lender can access, which prevents fraudsters from opening accounts in that child’s name.

Manage that freeze later by using the same online portal to request a temporary lift for a legitimate purpose, like a student loan application, and remove it permanently when the protected person turns 16 or becomes legally competent. You also have the right to manage that freeze later. You can lift it temporarily for a legitimate purpose, like a student loan application, and you can remove it permanently when the protected person turns 16 or becomes legally competent. The bureaus must honor these requests with the same one-day placement and one-hour lift rules that apply to your own freeze. This closes a major gap: previously, a child’s clean credit file was a blank canvas for thieves, and parents had no way to stop them.

What the law does not cover

Skip the paid lock products and place a statutory freeze instead, because a freeze is a legal right under federal law while a lock is a voluntary product that often comes with a monthly fee and a private contract. A common misconception is that the free freeze law prevents all identity theft or stops pre-screened credit offers. It does not. A freeze blocks new credit accounts from being opened in your name, but it does nothing to stop someone from using your existing credit card or draining your bank account. Those require separate fraud alerts or monitoring. Also, the law explicitly allows pre-screened credit offers to continue reaching you unless you opt out separately through the toll-free number at 1-888-5-OPT-OUT. A freeze does not stop these prescreened mailings, because they are not considered credit applications.

Another distinction: the law covers credit freezes & locks, but they are not the same thing. A freeze is a legal right under federal law, while a lock is a voluntary product offered by each bureau. The hub for this topic is Credit Freezes & Locks: What to Know and How to Handle It, which explains that locks often come with a monthly fee and may be governed by a private contract rather than the statute. If you want to understand the mechanics, ask yourself "a credit freeze and how does it protect me", the answer is that it blocks new credit inquiries, but a lock does the same thing only as long as you keep paying. For a side-by-side comparison, look up "credit freeze vs fraud alert vs credit lock what is the difference", the key takeaway is that a fraud alert merely asks lenders to verify your identity, while a freeze and a lock both block access. If you are ready to act, you can "freeze my credit with Equifax Experian and TransUnion" directly on each website, and the new law ensures you pay nothing.

Frequently asked questions

Will a freeze hurt my credit score?

No. A security freeze has zero impact on your credit score. It only blocks new lenders from viewing your file, which does not affect the scoring models that evaluate your existing accounts.

Can I freeze my credit if I am not an identity theft victim?

Yes. The law applies to every consumer, regardless of whether you have experienced fraud. You can place a freeze at any time, for any reason, at no cost.

How do I prove my identity to the bureau when placing a freeze online?

You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. The bureau may also ask security questions based on your credit file, such as a previous loan amount or a street you lived on years ago. If you fail, you can request a free annual credit report to try again.

What happens to my freeze if I move to a new state?

Your freeze remains in place at all three bureaus regardless of your address. However, you must update your contact information with each bureau so that you can receive PINs or one-time codes for future lifts.