Seniors are prime targets for identity theft. Their credit reports are often clean (making them attractive for fraud), they may not monitor their credit regularly, and cognitive decline can make them slower to notice suspicious activity. Once a criminal has a Social Security number—obtained through a data breach, phishing scam, or stolen mail—they can open credit cards, take out loans, and rack up thousands in charges in your parent's name.
A credit freeze stops this cold. It locks your parent's credit file so that no one can access it to approve new credit applications. Since most legitimate lenders check credit before approving new accounts, a freeze effectively blocks criminals from opening fraudulent accounts—even if they have every piece of personal information.
This guide walks you through exactly how to freeze credit at all three bureaus, when and how to lift a freeze if needed, and additional protections you should consider for your aging parent.
What Is a Credit Freeze?
A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) restricts access to your parent's credit report. When frozen:
- New creditors cannot view the credit report
- Most lenders will not approve applications without seeing credit history
- Identity thieves cannot open new accounts, even with stolen information
What a Freeze Does NOT Affect
- Existing accounts: Credit cards, loans, and mortgages already open continue to work normally
- Credit score: The freeze has no impact on credit score
- Free credit reports: Your parent can still access their free annual credit reports
- Pre-approved offers: Marketing offers may still arrive (opt out separately if desired)
- Employment background checks: Many don't use credit bureaus; those that do may require temporary lift
- Insurance quotes: Often use different data sources
- Government benefits: Not affected by credit freezes
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert
These are different protections:
| Feature | Credit Freeze | Fraud Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Level | Blocks access entirely | Requires identity verification |
| Duration | Permanent until you lift it | 1 year (or 7 years for ID theft victims) |
| Setup Required | Each bureau separately | One bureau notifies others |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Best For | Maximum protection for those unlikely to need new credit | Temporary protection or after identity theft |
For most seniors, a credit freeze provides better protection because it completely blocks new account openings rather than just requiring extra verification (which can sometimes be bypassed).
Good News: Credit Freezes Are Free
As of September 2018, federal law requires all three credit bureaus to offer free credit freezes. Placing, lifting, and removing freezes costs nothing. This was a major change—before this law, bureaus charged $5-10 per action, per bureau.
Before You Start: What You'll Need
Gather this information for your parent before beginning:
Required Information
- Full legal name (exactly as it appears on credit accounts)
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Current address
- Previous addresses (last 2-5 years)
- Email address (for account creation)
- Phone number
Security Questions
Each bureau will ask verification questions based on credit history, such as:
- Which of these addresses have you lived at?
- Which of these lenders have you had accounts with?
- What is your monthly mortgage payment?
- When did you open your XYZ credit card?
You'll need access to your parent's credit history information to answer these accurately.
Special Situations
If your parent has dementia or cognitive impairment:
If you have legal authority (financial power of attorney or guardianship), you can freeze their credit on their behalf. You'll typically need to:
- Submit a copy of the POA or guardianship documents
- Provide your ID and the senior's ID
- Mail or fax documents (online may not work for authorized representatives)
If you don't have legal authority:
You cannot freeze someone else's credit without authorization. You may need to pursue legal guardianship if your parent lacks capacity to manage their own affairs.
Step-by-Step: Freezing Credit at All Three Bureaus
You must freeze credit separately at each of the three major credit bureaus. Here's how:
Equifax
Online (Fastest):
- Go to equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze
- Click "Place a Freeze"
- Create an account or sign in
- Provide personal information
- Answer security verification questions
- Confirm the freeze request
- Save the confirmation number and any PIN provided
By Phone:
Call 1-800-349-9960. Automated system available 24/7. Have all personal information ready.
By Mail:
Send request with full name, SSN, date of birth, addresses for 2 years, and copy of ID to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Experian
Online (Fastest):
- Go to experian.com/freeze
- Click "Add a Security Freeze"
- Create an account (requires email)
- Enter personal information
- Verify identity through security questions
- Confirm the freeze
- Save your PIN securely
By Phone:
Call 1-888-397-3742. Follow automated prompts or speak with representative.
By Mail:
Send request to:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
Online (Fastest):
- Go to transunion.com/credit-freeze
- Click "Add a Freeze"
- Create a free account
- Enter personal information
- Verify identity
- Confirm the freeze
- Record your PIN
By Phone:
Call 1-888-909-8872. Automated service available.
By Mail:
Send request to:
TransUnion
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Critical: Save Your PINs
Each bureau provides a PIN or password to lift the freeze later. Store these securely—you cannot lift the freeze without them. Consider keeping a copy in a safe, password manager, or with a trusted family member. If your parent has memory issues, you'll need to manage these credentials for them.
Lifting the Freeze When Needed
If your parent needs to apply for new credit, you'll need to temporarily lift (thaw) the freeze.
When Lifting May Be Needed
- Applying for a new credit card
- Getting a new car loan or mortgage
- Opening a new bank account (some require credit check)
- Setting up utilities in a new location
- Some employment background checks
- Renting an apartment
- Getting a cell phone contract
How to Lift the Freeze
You have two options:
Option 1: Temporary Lift for Specific Time
- Specify a date range (e.g., lift for 3 days)
- Freeze automatically reactivates after the period ends
- Good when you're not sure which bureau the creditor uses
Option 2: Lift for Specific Creditor
- Only that creditor can access the report
- Ask the creditor which bureau they use before lifting
- More secure since access is limited
Lift Process
- Go to the bureau's website or call their freeze line
- Log in to the account created when freezing
- Enter your PIN
- Select temporary lift or permanent removal
- Specify date range or creditor
- Confirm the lift
Timeline: By law, bureaus must lift freezes within one hour of an online or phone request. Mail requests take up to three business days.
Additional Protections to Consider
A credit freeze is essential, but it's not the only protection for your parent.
Freeze with Additional Bureaus
Beyond the big three, consider freezing these lesser-known bureaus that some lenders use:
- Innovis: innovis.com or 1-800-540-2505
- ChexSystems: chexsystems.com (checks for bank accounts) or 1-800-428-9623
- National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE): nctue.com or 1-866-349-5185 (used by utilities, cell phones)
Opt Out of Pre-Approved Offers
Stop credit card and insurance offers that could be stolen from the mailbox:
- Visit optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688
- Choose 5-year or permanent opt-out
- Reduces mail theft risk and annoying solicitations
Set Up Fraud Alerts (As Backup)
Even with a freeze, you can add a fraud alert for extra protection:
- Contact any one bureau—they'll notify the others
- Requires creditors to verify identity before opening accounts
- Free and lasts one year (auto-renew available)
Social Security Account Protection
- Create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount
- Prevents criminals from creating an account in your parent's name
- Allows monitoring of Social Security benefits
IRS Identity Protection PIN
- Get an IP PIN at irs.gov
- Prevents criminals from filing fraudulent tax returns
- New PIN issued each year
Credit Monitoring
Consider adding credit monitoring to catch any issues:
- Free annual reports: annualcreditreport.com (stagger requests throughout year)
- Free monitoring services: Many credit cards offer free monitoring
- Paid services: Offer more comprehensive alerts and identity theft insurance
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Can't Verify Identity Online
If security questions fail:
- Try a different browser or clear cache
- Call the bureau directly
- Submit request by mail with copies of ID
- Bureau may require additional documentation
Lost PIN
If the PIN is lost:
- Request a new PIN online (may require identity verification)
- Call the bureau's freeze line
- Mail a request with copy of ID and utility bill
- Allow extra time for processing
Freeze Not Working
If accounts are still being opened:
- Verify freeze is in place at ALL three bureaus
- Check if minor bureaus were used (freeze Innovis, ChexSystems, etc.)
- Some creditors may extend credit without a credit check
- File a police report and identity theft report at identitytheft.gov
Creditor Needs Credit Check
If a legitimate creditor is blocked:
- Ask which bureau they use
- Temporarily lift freeze at that bureau only
- Set a short lift window (1-3 days)
- Confirm with creditor when to apply
Freezing Credit for Seniors with Dementia
If your parent has cognitive impairment, additional steps may be needed.
If You Have Power of Attorney
- Contact each bureau's dedicated line for representatives
- Submit POA documents for verification
- Provide your ID and your parent's information
- Process may take longer than self-service
- Keep confirmation and PIN in your records
If You Don't Have Authority
- Work with your parent while they still have capacity
- Have them authorize you to manage the freeze
- Consider establishing POA before capacity is lost
- Guardianship may be needed if capacity is already lost
Additional Protections for Those with Dementia
- Limit access to credit cards and checkbook
- Set up account alerts for any transactions
- Arrange for bills to be paid automatically or by you
- Consider a daily money manager service
- Have mail redirected to prevent solicitations
Frequently Asked Questions
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, preventing creditors from viewing it. Since most lenders check credit before approving new accounts, a freeze effectively stops anyone from opening new credit in your name—even if they have your personal information.
Yes, credit freezes are completely free as of September 2018. Placing, lifting, and removing freezes at all three credit bureaus costs nothing.
No, a credit freeze has no effect on credit score. It simply restricts who can access the credit report. Your parent can still use existing credit cards, pay bills, and have their credit score calculated normally.
You must freeze credit separately at each bureau: Equifax (equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze), Experian (experian.com/freeze), and TransUnion (transunion.com/credit-freeze). Each takes about 10-15 minutes.
A credit freeze blocks access entirely until you lift it. A fraud alert requires creditors to verify identity but leaves the report accessible. Freezes are permanent; fraud alerts last 1 year. Freezes provide stronger protection.
If you have legal authority (power of attorney or guardianship), you can request a credit freeze on their behalf. You'll need to provide documentation. Without legal authority, you may need to pursue guardianship first.
By law, credit bureaus must lift a freeze within one hour of an online or phone request. Mail requests take up to three business days. You can temporarily lift for a specific time period or specific creditor.
You need: full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, current and recent addresses, and ability to answer security questions. You'll create a PIN at each bureau—keep these credentials secure.
Quick Start Checklist
Use this checklist to freeze your parent's credit:
- [ ] Gather personal information (SSN, addresses, DOB)
- [ ] Freeze at Equifax (equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze)
- [ ] Save Equifax PIN securely
- [ ] Freeze at Experian (experian.com/freeze)
- [ ] Save Experian PIN securely
- [ ] Freeze at TransUnion (transunion.com/credit-freeze)
- [ ] Save TransUnion PIN securely
- [ ] Consider freezing Innovis and ChexSystems
- [ ] Opt out of pre-approved offers (optoutprescreen.com)
- [ ] Create Social Security online account (ssa.gov/myaccount)
- [ ] Consider IRS Identity Protection PIN
Taking Action Today
A credit freeze takes about 30 minutes to set up at all three bureaus, costs nothing, and provides powerful protection against identity theft. For most seniors who aren't actively applying for new credit, there's no downside—and the peace of mind is invaluable.
Don't wait until after identity theft occurs. The damage from stolen identity—fraudulent accounts, damaged credit, legal hassles, financial losses—can take years to resolve. A few minutes of preventive action now can save enormous stress later.
If your parent has any cognitive decline or struggles with technology, help them set this up today. If you have power of attorney, consider this one of your most important protective duties. And while you're at it, freeze your own credit too—everyone benefits from this simple protection.