# Credit freeze vs paid credit lock: what you can do for free

A security freeze is free. Paid monitoring and credit-lock bundles are different services, and none prevents every kind of identity theft.

[Canonical HTML page](https://nosecrets.app/en/stories/credit-freeze-paid-lock-monitoring)

Published by: [No Secrets Research](https://nosecrets.app/en/about#methodology)
Added: 2026-10-20
Topic: Money & payments

## Scope and context

Applies to: United States · nationwide credit reporting companies
Time context: Public guidance checked October 20, 2026
Sources checked: 2026-10-20

These are US credit-file rules, not a freeze on your bank balance. Employment, tenant-screening and insurance reports have separate rules.

## Ask for the free security freeze

CFPB says freezing and unfreezing at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion is free. Contact each separately. A paid credit-lock bundle is not required to exercise that right.

[1: CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/)

## Prevention and monitoring do different jobs

A freeze restricts prospective creditors' access; monitoring alerts you to changes. FTC notes that freezes do not lower your credit score. Neither replaces checking existing accounts for unauthorized transactions.

[2: FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/understanding-your-credit)

## Before applying for credit

Keep your recovery details safely and plan a temporary lift when a lender needs access. Our buying checklist: identify exactly what a paid package adds beyond the free freeze before accepting recurring charges.

[1: CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/)

## Sources

1. [What is a credit freeze or security freeze on my credit report?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/) — CFPB. 2025-09-05. Distinguishes security freezes from paid locks.

2. [Understanding Your Credit](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/understanding-your-credit) — FTC. 2024. Explains free freezes and the limits of monitoring.

## Disclosure

AI-assisted research, writing and translation by No Secrets, using the linked public documents. This is a source summary, not firsthand reporting or an independently audited investigation. No affiliate links are used in this article.

The source-check date is not the event date. Original documents control if a summary differs.