| Criterion | Credit Freeze | Credit Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | A freeze is a right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which directs the national credit reporting companies to place one at a consumer's request. The procedure, permitted exceptions, and timelines come from statute and regulation. | A lock is not a statutory right. It exists because a credit reporting company chooses to offer it, and its rules come from that company's contract with the consumer rather than from federal law. |
| How it is placed | The consumer contacts each national credit reporting company separately and requests the freeze on that company's file. Each company maintains its own record, so a freeze placed with one does not extend to the others. | The consumer usually creates an online account with the company, accepts terms of service, and switches the lock on through an app or dashboard. The company determines what identity verification is required. |
| Cost | Federal law provides for placement, temporary lifting, and removal of a security freeze at no charge to the consumer. | Some lock tools are bundled into paid subscription products, while others are offered without a fee. Availability, pricing, and included features are set by the company and can change. |
| Duration | A freeze remains on the file until the consumer removes it. A temporary lift can be requested for a defined window when a specific application is expected. | A lock lasts as long as the account and the agreement remain in force. Closing the account, dropping the subscription, or the company discontinuing the feature can end it. |
| Removal and consumer control | The consumer lifts or removes the freeze using the personal identification number or password the company issues, and the law limits how long the company may take to act on a valid request. | Removal happens through the company's own platform and is governed by the terms of service. The company controls the process, the interface, and any conditions attached to it. |
| Effect on file access | A freeze blocks most prospective creditors from obtaining the file for underwriting. The law lists exceptions, which can include existing creditors conducting account reviews, certain government agencies, and child support enforcement. | A lock is designed to produce a broadly similar restriction, but the exact scope and the exceptions are defined by the product rather than by statute. |
| Disputes and remedies | Because a freeze is statutory, a consumer who believes a company mishandled a request can look to the procedures and remedies the FCRA provides. | Because a lock is contractual, disagreements generally run through customer service and the terms of service, though other consumer protection laws may still apply to the company's conduct. |
Frequently asked questions
Does a credit lock or freeze change what appears in my credit file?
No. Both tools restrict who may access the file for certain purposes. They do not add, remove, or edit accounts, balances, inquiries, or payment history, so the underlying data reported by creditors stays the same.
Can a creditor still see my report while a freeze is in place?
The law allows several exceptions. Existing creditors may access the file for account review or collection, and certain government agencies and child support enforcement may also obtain it. A freeze mainly limits access by prospective creditors evaluating a new application.
Do I need to contact all three national credit reporting companies?
Yes. Each national credit reporting company maintains a separate file, so a freeze or lock placed with one does not apply to the others. A consumer who wants the restriction across all three files must request it from each company.
Is a credit lock legally the same as a credit freeze?
No. A freeze is a right established by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, with statutory timelines and remedies. A lock is a service offered under a private agreement, so its terms, availability, and dispute process are defined by the company rather than by federal statute.
Does a freeze or lock stop all misuse of my information?
Neither tool addresses every scenario. Restricting file access limits one route to opening new accounts in someone else's name, but it does not affect activity on accounts that already exist, and it does not control how information is used outside the credit reporting system.