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신용 동결 vs. 신용 잠금: 어떤 것을 사용해야 할까요?

신용 동결과 잠금은 모두 신용을 보호하지만 작동 방식이 다릅니다. 당신의 상황에 맞는 올바른 선택은 무엇일까요?

Credit Booster AI

5 min read

자주 묻는 질문

Credit freeze vs. lock—which is safer?

Credit freezes are safer thanks to federal law mandating free access and strong protections against new account fraud. Locks offer similar blocking but rely on bureau contracts, with risks like fees or service changes (e.g., TransUnion's 2025 discontinuation).

How do I freeze credit at all 3 bureaus for free?

Visit Equifax.com, Experian.com/freeze, and TransUnion.com/credit-freeze online—provide basic ID, get PINs instantly, no cost. Phone or mail works too, but slower.

Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?

No, freezes don't affect scores—they only block new lender views while existing data computes normally.

Can I have both a credit freeze and credit lock?

No, thaw the freeze first; you can't layer them on the same bureau. Use freezes primarily, add free locks where available.

How long does it take to lift a credit freeze?

Online or phone: ≤1 hour. Mail: 3 days. Save your PIN for quick temporary lifts.

Is credit lock free at any bureau in 2026?

Equifax offers free locks in plans like Equifax Complete; Experian bundles with paid monitoring ($24.99/month post-trial); TransUnion discontinued standalone locks.

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