How to Freeze Your Credit for Free in Canada: Equifax and TransUnion

A credit freeze is one of the strongest things you can do to protect yourself from identity theft in Canada, and in some provinces it is free by law. Once a freeze is in place, a lender cannot open a new credit account in your name because the bureau will not release your file. Here is how it works, where it is available, and how to set it up with Equifax and TransUnion.

Step 1: check whether a freeze is available where you live

Credit freezes in Canada depend on provincial law. Quebec led the way: free freezes have been a legal right there since February 1, 2023, under the Credit Assessment Agents Act, and both bureaus offer them. Ontario followed on July 1, 2026; Equifax offers the freeze there now, while TransUnion has until July 1, 2027. British Columbia is next, with freezes, security alerts, and free monthly credit reports coming in August 2027 under Bill 28.

If you live elsewhere, a legal freeze may not be available yet, but the bureaus can offer freezes voluntarily, so it is still worth asking. If a freeze is not an option where you live, a fraud alert is a good fallback: you can place one free of charge with both bureaus anywhere in Canada, and it tells lenders to verify your identity before opening an account.

Step 2: understand what a freeze does and does not do

A freeze, also called a security freeze or a credit lock, tells the bureau to stop releasing your credit file when a lender tries to check it. Since most lenders check credit before approving a card, loan, or mortgage, a freeze blocks most new-account fraud in your name.

A freeze does not affect your credit score, and it does not stop your existing accounts from working. Your current cards, loans, and bills carry on as normal, and your existing lenders can still see your file. It also does not stop pre-approved credit offers or hide your file from government agencies and debt collectors. It stays in place until you lift it, so remember it is there when you next apply for credit.

One more point matters: freezing your file at Equifax does not freeze it at TransUnion, and the other way around. The two bureaus keep separate files, so you need to place a freeze with each one to be fully covered.

Step 3: freeze your Equifax file

If you live in Quebec or Ontario, the fastest route is online. Create a free myEquifax account or log in, then look for the credit lock or freeze option in your dashboard. A green checkmark confirms your report is locked. You will need to verify your identity, and the bureau may ask security questions based on your credit history.

If you prefer to talk to someone, call Equifax at 1-866-828-5961 or 1-800-465-7166. You can also place a freeze by mail: write to Equifax Canada Co., National Consumer Relations, P.O. Box 190, Montreal, Quebec, H1S 2Z2, and include the personal details the bureau asks for on its website. Placing, lifting, or removing a freeze is free in Quebec and Ontario. Do not pay for a freeze, and do not sign up for a paid monitoring plan just to get one.

Step 4: freeze your TransUnion file

TransUnion freezes are a Quebec-only service for now, with Ontario coming in July 2027. If you live in Quebec, log in to TransUnion's online consumer portal to place or lift a freeze right away and for free, or call 1-800-663-9980. You can also write by mail to TransUnion Canada, P.O. Box 338, LCD1, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 7W2.

TransUnion's website also sells a paid monitoring service, so use the free freeze option rather than a subscription. If you are in Ontario, watch TransUnion's site as July 2027 approaches, and use the Equifax freeze plus a fraud alert on your TransUnion file in the meantime.

Step 5: lift the freeze temporarily when you apply for credit

A freeze blocks access to your file, so it will also block a legitimate lender when you apply for a card, a loan, a mortgage, or a phone plan. Before you apply, ask the lender which bureau it checks, then lift the freeze at that bureau only. You can lift it online or by phone, and in most recent versions the lift takes effect quickly. Some people lift it for a single day or a set window, then put it back once the application is done.

Keep your account logins and any PIN the bureau gives you somewhere safe. If you lose access, lifting the freeze takes longer, and a lender may not be able to process your application until it is sorted out. If you move to a new province, check the rules there, since availability follows provincial law.

Step 6: watch your credit reports for free

A freeze blocks new accounts, but it does not catch everything, so keep an eye on your reports. In Canada you can check your Equifax report and score for free through Borrowell, and your TransUnion report and score for free through Credit Karma or ClearScore. Checking costs nothing and does not hurt your score. Look for accounts you do not recognize, addresses you have never lived at, and hard inquiries you did not authorize. If you find something wrong, report it to the bureau and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does freezing my credit hurt my credit score?

No. A credit freeze has zero impact on your credit score. It only controls who can access your credit file, and your existing accounts keep working normally.

Is a credit freeze really free in Canada?

Yes, where the law requires it. In Quebec and Ontario, placing, lifting, or removing a freeze is completely free. The bureaus may try to sell paid monitoring, but the freeze itself costs nothing. If a website asks for payment details to place a freeze, you are on the wrong page.

What is the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?

A freeze blocks access to your credit file, so most lenders cannot open a new account in your name at all. A fraud alert does not block access; it tells lenders to verify your identity first. A freeze is stronger, but a fraud alert is available anywhere in Canada and is a good option if a freeze is not offered in your province yet.