credit freezes

A credit freeze is a consumer protection tool that allows you to restrict access to your credit report. By placing a freeze on your credit report, lenders and other entities are unable to view your credit history or score, making it much more difficult for someone to open a new account, loan, or line of credit in your name without your permission. A credit freeze typically lasts until you request that it be lifted, and can be initiated online or by phone.

As of September 2018, credit freezes are free to place and to lift. Child Welfare Agencies acting on the youth’s behalf may place a credit freeze for the youth and there is no minimum age. Once the youth turns age 16, they may place and lift their own freezes. Regardless, it’s important to make sure the youth you’re working with is aware of the freeze and how to lift it using the PIN that was given when the freeze was placed. Learn more about what it means to put a credit freeze on your credit report.