Clark Howard

How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian

Freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself against identity theft and stop criminals from opening lines of credit in your name, according to money expert Clark Howard.

In this article, we'll show you how to place a security freeze on your credit with Experian. You'll also want to be sure to put freezes in place with Equifax and TransUnion, which you can learn how to do here and here.

3 Ways to Place a Freeze on Your Credit With Experian

All three major credit bureaus, Experian included, allow you to freeze your credit online, by phone or by regular mail.

How to Reach Experian to Freeze Your Credit

Online By Phone By Mail
Experian Credit Freeze page 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

Freezing online is by far the easiest method, so we’ll start with that one.

How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian Online

In order to freeze your credit with Experian online, you’ll need to head here:

You will need to give Experian some information in order to prove your identity. This includes your:

  • Name
  • Previous name, if applicable
  • Address for the last two years
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number

You will also likely be asked some questions about prior places of residence and credit accounts you may have or have had in the past. This is all to ensure that you are actually the one requesting the freeze.

Once you have proven your identity and the freeze is in place, you will select a Personal Identification Number (PIN). You can use the PIN if you ever need to lift the freeze either temporarily or permanently. Note that you may need to lift the freeze if you are applying for credit in the future.

How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian via the Phone

The process of freezing your credit by phone is very similar to the process online. You will need to call:

  • 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

The information you’ll be asked to provide will mirror the information listed above for the online process and you will be able to select a PIN.

How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian by Mail

You can also freeze your credit by mail, but it’s going to involve a little more work. You’ll need to send a written request to put the freeze in place to:

  • Experian Security Freeze
    P.O. Box 9554
    Allen, TX 75013

Along with the written request, you’ll need to provide the following information and documents:

  • Your full name including middle initial (and generation)
  • Social Security number
  • Complete addresses for the past two years
  • Date of birth
  • One copy of a government issued identification card, such as a driver's license, state ID card, etc.
  • One copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, etc.

How to Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian

As mentioned earlier, if you need to apply for credit after you place a freeze on your file, you’ll need to lift the freeze. This can also be done online, by phone or via the mail. However, what’s required to unfreeze your credit varies depending on which method you use:

  • If you unfreeze your credit online, you don't need the PIN that you set up when you froze your credit. You'll just need to sign in to your account.
  • If you choose to call Experian to have your freeze lifted, you will be asked for your PIN, but if you don't remember it you can still unfreeze your credit by answering some challenge questions.
  • If you request to lift your credit freeze by mail, you will be required to supply the same types of documentation you provided if you placed the freeze by mail, along with a written request to lift the freeze.

Final Thought

Freezing your credit is not a difficult process — especially if you do it online — and it’s mostly the same with all three bureaus. Just don’t forget to do it with Equifax and TransUnion, too, or you won’t be fully protected!

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