How to Freeze Your Credit in Utah: Free, Fast, and What the Utah Security Freeze Law Requires
General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Short answer: Under Utah Code § 13-45-201, you can ask a consumer reporting agency (credit bureau) to place a security freeze that stops it from giving your credit report to a third party who wants to use it to decide whether to give new credit. The bureau must place the freeze within five business days if you request it by certified mail, within 24 hours by phone or its online system, or within 15 minutes if you use a mobile app, and must give you a unique personal identifier and a confirmation within five business days. It can't charge a fee to place, remove or temporarily lift a freeze (§ 13-45-204). To remove or lift it, the bureau must act within three business days of a mailed request or within 15 minutes of an online or app request that includes your identifier (§ 13-45-202).
Who this guide is for
Utahns who've had a data breach, identity theft, a stolen wallet, or who simply want protection against someone opening accounts in their name, and parents or guardians who want to freeze a child's or a protected person's credit. General information, not legal advice.
What a freeze does and doesn't do
- Does: blocks most new-credit inquiries that would use your credit report, which makes it hard for a thief to open accounts.
- Doesn't: stop use of existing accounts, stop all fraud (for example tax return fraud or medical identity theft), or lower your credit score. Some disclosures are excepted from the freeze (§ 13-45-203), such as account reviews and collection by companies you already owe, and responses to court orders.
- Not the same as a fraud alert, which asks lenders to take extra verification steps.
How to place a freeze
- Contact each of the three major bureaus separately: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each must have a postal address, an electronic method and a phone method for freeze requests (§ 13-45-201(5)).
- Give proper identification (full name, prior names, current and recent addresses, Social Security number, date of birth).
- Save the unique personal identifier (PIN or password) each bureau gives you; you'll need it to lift or remove the freeze quickly.
- Keep confirmation (screenshots, emails, mailed letters).
Timing: certified mail — as soon as practicable, no later than five business days after receipt; phone or online — no later than 24 hours; mobile app — within 15 minutes (§ 13-45-201(2)(b)).
Lifting or removing a freeze
You can temporarily lift the freeze for a specific period, for example when you apply for a loan, or remove it entirely. The bureau must act on a mailed request within three business days and on an electronic request that includes your identifier within 15 minutes (§ 13-45-202(3)). Exceptions apply during outages or circumstances beyond the bureau's control.
Children and protected persons
Utah's chapter lets a representative place a freeze on a protected consumer — someone under 16, an incapacitated person, or a protected person — by providing proof of authority such as a court order, a power of attorney, or a notarized statement (§ 13-45-102). Check each bureau's requirements.
If you're a victim of identity theft
Freeze first, then report. See Identity Theft in Utah for reporting and repairing records, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Rights if collectors call about fraudulent debts, and How to Find Free or Low-Cost Legal Help in Utah.
Frequently asked questions
Does a credit freeze cost money in Utah?
No. A consumer reporting agency may not charge a fee to place, remove or temporarily lift a freeze.
How fast must a bureau place a freeze?
Within 15 minutes by mobile app, 24 hours by phone or online, and five business days by certified mail, under the statute.
Does a freeze hurt my credit score?
Placing a freeze doesn't change your score; it blocks lenders from pulling your report for new credit unless you lift it.
Can I freeze my child's credit?
Yes. A representative with proof of authority can place a freeze for a protected consumer.