# Credit freeze and identity theft: how to protect yourself

Credit freeze is free and stops loans in your name. Here's how to freeze yourself with all five bureaus, and how to act in the first 24 hours of identity theft.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/kredittsperre-id-tyveri-norge
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-07-23T19:34:19.292+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-04T07:02:45.406279+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- Credit freeze is free and stops loans in your name No one can credit-check you while the freeze is in place – this means personal loans, credit cards and subscriptions are rejected, even when a fraudster applies in your name. You can lift the freeze anytime, at no cost.
- Five bureaus must be frozen – one open is enough for the fraudster As of July 2026, five bureaus assess creditworthiness for individuals: Bislab, Dun & Bradstreet, Creditsafe, Experian and Tietoevry (Infotorg). There is no shared service – set the freeze with each bureau individually.
- In case of identity theft: report, alert your bank and freeze – fast Document everything, report to the police and ask for written confirmation, alert your banks, set a credit freeze with all five bureaus and check the debt register for loans you do not recognize.

A credit freeze is a free freeze you set yourself, and it prevents anyone from credit-checking you. Without a credit check, a fraudster cannot take out loans or credit cards in your name. The freeze must be set with all five credit information bureaus, and you can lift it anytime.

## What is a credit freeze?

A **voluntary credit freeze** is a freeze against the credit check itself. As long as it is in place, no **credit information bureaus** (companies that assess your finances for banks and shops) can release information about you. This means applications for personal loans, credit cards and subscriptions that require a credit check are rejected – even when a fraudster applies in your name.

The freeze should be free, and you can turn it on and off as often as you like. Both the Norwegian Data Protection Authority and Finance Norway confirm this. Existing cards and loans work as before – the freeze only stops new credit checks.

Credit freeze is therefore the most important single measure against **identity theft**, that is, when someone misuses your name and personal identification number. Around 150,000 people in Norway experience identity theft over a two-year period, according to surveys from the Norwegian Tax Administration and NorSIS – but in 2023, only around 30 percent had set a freeze. Most problems can be sorted out, and it is even easier to prevent. Also learn [how to recognize fraud attempts](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/svindel-slik-gjenkjenner-du-norge), because the freeze does not stop phishing.

## How to freeze yourself with all five bureaus

As of July 2026, five bureaus assess creditworthiness for individuals in Norway, according to the Norwegian Data Protection Authority's overview (last updated October 2025). There is no central register or "freeze everywhere" service – you must log in and set the freeze with **each bureau individually**:

| Bureau | How to set the freeze |
|---|---|
| Bislab | Log in with **Vipps** on [kredittsperre.bislab.no](http://kredittsperre.bislab.no/) |
| Dun & Bradstreet (formerly Bisnode) | Log in with BankID on [soliditet.no](https://soliditet.no/privatpersoner/auth) |
| Creditsafe | Log in on [Creditsafe account](https://www.creditsafe.com/contact/) |
| Experian | Log in with BankID on [minexperian.no](https://www.minexperian.no/) |
| Tietoevry (Infotorg) | Log in with BankID on [infotorg.no](https://www.infotorg.no/credit/credit-freeze) |

Important: the freeze only works once it is in place with **all** bureaus. If you freeze yourself with four out of five, a fraud loan can still go through the fifth. Also note that Bislab uses Vipps login, not BankID.

The list can change: since 2022, new bureaus can start without prior approval. If you are in doubt, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority's overview of organizations that assess creditworthiness is the authoritative source.

## How to lift the freeze when you need to borrow

Lifting is free and happens immediately, in the same portal where you set the freeze. The downside of a credit freeze is that you cannot be credit-checked either: loan applications, invoice purchases and new mobile or power subscriptions can be rejected while it is in place.

A simple routine: lift the freeze with all five bureaus on the same day you apply for a loan or renew your credit certificate – you rarely know which bureau the bank uses. Turn the freeze back on once the application is processed.

## Carbon copy letter: the free warning many miss

Every time someone orders a credit check on you, the bureau must also send you a **carbon copy letter** – a free copy that tells you that you have been credit-checked, and by whom. If you receive a carbon copy letter without having applied for anything, it is an early warning sign of identity theft. Do not ignore it.

You also have free access to information: each bureau must show you everything that is registered about you, and which releases have been made over the past six months. After suspecting misuse, you can therefore see exactly who has credit-checked you. A credit check requires a legitimate reason – mere curiosity is illegal.

## Check the debt register if you suspect

A fraud loan in your name appears in the debt registers. Two approved companies show the same: Gjeldsregisteret AS (gjeldsregisteret.com) and Norsk Gjeldsinformasjon (norskgjeld.no). You log in for free with BankID and see all **unsecured debt** – personal loans, credit cards and invoice purchases. Mortgages and car loans are not shown; they are in separate mortgage and personal property registers. Unpaid fraud loans can in the worst case end up as collection claims and payment remarks – another reason to discover them early.

## What do you do in case of identity theft? The first 24 hours

Act quickly and systematically. The checklist is based on guidance from NorSIS (Norwegian Center for Information Security):

1. **Document everything.** Write down what has happened, with dates, amounts and screenshots.
2. **Report to the police** – call 02800 or use anmeldelse.politiet.no. Ask for written confirmation of the report; this is the document the bank and insurance company require. See [how to report to the police](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/anmelde-til-politiet-norge).
3. **Alert your banks immediately.** Block compromised accounts and cards. If money is already gone, you can [demand the money back from the bank](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/svindel-penger-tilbake-banken-norge).
4. **Set a credit freeze with all five bureaus** – use the table above.
5. **Check the debt register** for loans you do not recognize.
6. **Consider a security block with the Norwegian Postal Service.** Then your address can only be changed by appearing in person with valid identification – criminals hijack mail to hide the theft.
7. **Check your insurance.** Many home insurance policies cover assistance and legal advice in case of identity theft.
8. **Block and renew your e-IDs** – BankID through your bank, and MinID. Also report stolen documents such as passport and driver's license.

Only around 25 percent of victims report, according to figures from the Norwegian Tax Administration in 2023. That is unfortunate, because the report confirmation is the key to getting losses refunded and triggering insurance.

## How to protect yourself in everyday life

The credit freeze stops new credit, but not everything: it does not prevent misuse of cards you already have, or someone taking over your accounts. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority's warning signals are worth knowing: invoices or collection demands for purchases you do not recognize, carbon copy letters without application, notification of address change you did not request, or mail that suddenly stops.

In addition, the usual advice applies: [never share your BankID codes](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/bankid-svindel-norge) – not even with family – and be careful with your personal identification number. On SamfunnPrep you will find more guides on fraud and consumer rights in Norway.

## Where to get help

You do not need to sort things out alone, and help is free. NorSIS operates a helpline for identity theft at +47 40 00 58 99. Slettmeg.no, which is also run by NorSIS, provides free advice on removing fake profiles and hijacked accounts. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority receives complaints about credit information bureaus, and your bank and insurance company have their own fraud teams.

Secure finances and consumer rights are part of the curriculum for the civic knowledge exam. If you want to learn more about how Norway works in practice, you can [practice for free with the tools on SamfunnPrep](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy).

## FAQ

### Is credit freeze free?

Yes. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority is clear that credit freeze should be free, both to set and to lift. You log in with each bureau using BankID (Vipps with Bislab) and can turn the freeze on and off as often as you like.

### Do I have to freeze myself with all bureaus?

Yes. There is no shared service that freezes you everywhere. As of July 2026, you must set the freeze with each of the five bureaus: Bislab, Dun & Bradstreet, Creditsafe, Experian and Tietoevry (Infotorg). One unfrozen bureau is enough for a fraud loan to go through.

### How do I lift the credit freeze when I need to borrow?

Log in with the bureaus and lift the freeze – it is free and happens immediately. Ideally lift it with all five on the same day you apply, since you rarely know which bureau the bank uses, and turn the freeze back on afterwards. Existing cards and loans are not affected by the freeze.

### What is a carbon copy letter?

A carbon copy letter is a statutory, free copy you receive every time someone credit-checks you. It tells you that you have been credit-checked, and by whom. If you receive a carbon copy letter without having applied for anything, it may be an early sign of identity theft.

### What do I do if someone has taken out a loan in my name?

Document everything, report to the police (02800 or anmeldelse.politiet.no) and ask for written confirmation, alert your banks, set a credit freeze with all five bureaus and check the debt register. NorSIS has a free helpline for identity theft at +47 40 00 58 99.

### Does the debt register show my mortgage?

No. The debt registers (gjeldsregisteret.com and norskgjeld.no) only show unsecured debt: personal loans, credit cards and invoice purchases. Mortgages and car loans are in separate mortgage and personal property registers.

## Sources

- [Oversikt over virksomheter som kredittvurderer](https://www.datatilsynet.no/personvern-pa-ulike-omrader/kredittvurdering/virksomheter-som-kredittvurderer/)
- [For deg som blir kredittvurdert](https://www.datatilsynet.no/personvern-pa-ulike-omrader/kredittvurdering/for-deg-som-blir-kredittvurdert/)
- [Spørsmål og svar om kredittopplysning](https://www.datatilsynet.no/regelverk-og-verktoy/sporsmal-svar/kredittopplysning/)
- [Frivillig kredittsperre](https://www.finansnorge.no/tema/personlig-okonomi/okonomi--og-gjeldsradgivning/frivillig-kredittsperre/)
- [Jeg har blitt utsatt for ID-tyveri](https://norsis.no/veiledninger/utsatt-for-id-tyveri/)
- [Anmelde svindel og ID-tyveri](https://www.politiet.no/tjenester/anmelde/anmelde-svindel-og-id-tyveri/)
- [Slettmeg.no – gratis råd og veiledning](https://slettmeg.no/)
- [Norsk Gjeldsinformasjon – sjekk din usikrede gjeld](https://www.norskgjeld.no/)
- [Gjeldsregisteret](https://www.gjeldsregisteret.com/)
- [Ferske tall: Flere eldre rammes av ID-tyveri](https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/press/nyhetsrommet/ferske-tall-flere-eldre-rammes-av-id-tyveri/)
- [ID-tyveriundersøkelsen 2025](https://norsis.no/content/uploads/2025/06/NorSIS_id-tyveriundersokelsen_2025.pdf)
- [Beskytt deg mot ID-tyveri (sikkerhetssperre)](https://www.posten.no/motta/id-tyveri)
- [Hvordan forebygge og oppdage identitetstyveri?](https://www.datatilsynet.no/personvern-pa-ulike-omrader/internett-og-apper/id-tyveri/oppdage-forebygge/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Credit freeze and identity theft: how to protect yourself", SamfunnPrep, 2026-07-23T19:34:19.292+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/kredittsperre-id-tyveri-norge