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The 5 Essential Reasons Clark Howard Says You MUST Freeze Your Credit Now (2025 Update)

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Clark Howard's long-standing, urgent advice to freeze your credit remains the single most powerful step you can take for financial self-defense, and as of December 22, 2025, this recommendation is more critical than ever. The consumer champion views the credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, not as an optional measure but as an absolute necessity in a world plagued by massive data breaches and rampant identity theft. He consistently emphasizes that a credit freeze is the only truly effective way to stop criminals from opening new accounts in your name, making it the bedrock of personal financial protection.

This comprehensive guide breaks down Clark Howard’s latest, updated advice on the credit freeze, clarifying the crucial difference between a freeze and a lock, and providing the exact, free steps you need to take with all three major credit bureaus. By following these steps, you are essentially sealing your financial history, ensuring that only you can authorize access to your credit report when you genuinely need to apply for new credit or services.

Clark Howard's Essential Guide to the Credit Freeze (And Why It's Still Crucial in 2025)

For over a decade, Clark Howard has been the most vocal proponent of the credit freeze, a position that has only hardened with the increasing frequency and scale of corporate data breaches. His core belief is simple: if a criminal cannot access your credit report, they cannot open a new credit card, take out a loan, or finance a car in your name, even if they have your Social Security number.

The Five Pillars of Clark's Credit Freeze Philosophy

Clark’s advice distills down to five non-negotiable points that every consumer must understand to protect their financial future:

  1. It is the Best Defense Against Identity Theft: Clark unequivocally states that a credit freeze is the "best way to protect yourself from identity thieves." It acts as a permanent, iron-clad barrier.
  2. It is Now 100% Free: Thanks to federal law passed in 2018, freezing and unfreezing your credit is free with all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. There is no cost barrier to entry.
  3. It Must Be Done with ALL Three Bureaus: A freeze is only as strong as its weakest link. If you freeze only Equifax and a criminal applies for credit using an Experian report, the fraud will still go through. You must contact all three.
  4. It is Permanent Until You Lift It: Unlike a fraud alert, which expires, a credit freeze remains in place indefinitely until you actively "thaw" or lift it. This provides continuous, worry-free protection.
  5. It Eliminates the Need for Paid Credit Monitoring: Clark argues that if you have a credit freeze in place and manage it correctly, you "really don't need credit monitoring in and of itself." The freeze prevents the problem, while monitoring only alerts you after the problem has occurred.

The concept of a security freeze is straightforward: it restricts access to your credit report, making it impossible for a new creditor to check your credit history. Since creditors require a credit check to approve a new line of credit, the application is simply denied. This proactive approach saves you the tremendous time, stress, and financial damage of repairing identity theft.

Credit Freeze vs. Credit Lock: Why Clark Says 'Don't Pay for the Extras'

A common point of confusion for consumers is the difference between a credit freeze and a credit lock. Clark Howard is adamant that consumers should choose the free, federally-regulated credit freeze and avoid the often-paid-for credit lock services offered by the credit bureaus.

The Key Differences Explained

  • Credit Freeze (Security Freeze):
    • Cost: Free by federal law.
    • Regulation: Governed by federal law, which dictates the process, speed of thawing, and security.
    • Control: You receive a PIN or password to manage the freeze.
    • Clark's View: The gold standard for identity theft protection.
  • Credit Lock:
    • Cost: Often bundled with paid credit monitoring services, which Clark advises against.
    • Regulation: Governed by a contract with the credit bureau, not federal law.
    • Control: Typically managed via a proprietary app or website.
    • Clark's View: "It is absolutely ridiculous" to pay for these services, which are often redundant "extras."

Clark’s primary concern with the credit lock is that it is a paid product designed to generate revenue for the credit bureaus, offering a service that is essentially identical to the free credit freeze. He strongly advises consumers not to fall for the marketing of these bundled services. Instead, he recommends utilizing free services like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame for credit monitoring and notifications, while relying on the free credit freeze for actual protection.

The Step-by-Step Process: How to Freeze Your Credit with the Three Major Bureaus

The process of placing a credit freeze is simple, free, and can be done online in minutes. Clark Howard stresses that you must complete this process with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion individually to ensure full coverage.

A Simple Checklist for Financial Security

Follow these steps for each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (CRAs):

1. Equifax

  • Action: Visit the Equifax Security Freeze page on their official website.
  • Process: You will be asked to create an account or provide identifying information to place the freeze.
  • Key Takeaway: Equifax allows you to manage the freeze online easily once it is set up.

2. Experian

  • Action: Go to the Experian Security Freeze Center online.
  • Process: You can place the freeze immediately by submitting your personal information.
  • Key Takeaway: Experian will provide a PIN or password, which you must save in a secure place.

3. TransUnion

  • Action: Navigate to the TransUnion Freeze Center on their website.
  • Process: Complete the online request form to place the security freeze.
  • Key Takeaway: TransUnion also requires you to keep a record of your PIN for future management.

Freezing a Minor Child's Credit

Clark Howard also champions the concept of freezing the credit of minor children, as they are a prime target for identity thieves who can use a child’s clean Social Security number for years before the fraud is discovered. This process is slightly more complex, requiring you to contact each bureau and provide documentation (such as a birth certificate and proof of address) to establish a credit file for the child before the freeze can be placed. This proactive step can save your child from a lifetime of financial headaches before they even reach adulthood.

The 'Thaw' Process: Lifting the Freeze When Needed

When you need to apply for new credit, such as a mortgage, car loan, or a new credit card, you will need to temporarily lift or "thaw" the freeze. This can be done in two ways:

  1. Temporary Thaw: You can lift the freeze for a specific period (e.g., 7 days) or for a specific creditor. This is the recommended method for maximum security.
  2. Permanent Removal: You can completely remove the freeze, but Clark advises against this, preferring the continuous protection of the freeze.

To thaw your credit, you simply log back into the security freeze center for each bureau and use your PIN or password to lift the restriction. The bureaus are required by law to lift the freeze within one hour if the request is made online or by phone. This speed ensures that the freeze does not interfere with your legitimate financial transactions.

Final Clark Howard Takeaway on Financial Protection

In the face of ongoing data breaches and sophisticated scams, Clark Howard’s advice on the credit freeze remains the most valuable, actionable piece of financial counsel available. It is a free, powerful, and permanent solution for identity theft protection that puts the control back into your hands. By taking the few minutes today to freeze your credit with all three major bureaus, you are securing your financial well-being for years to come, turning a potential financial nightmare into a non-event.

clark howard and credit freeze
clark howard and credit freeze

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