How to Unfreeze Your Credit

A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, keeps your sensitive information safe and gives you control over who can view your financial history. It prevents lenders, creditors, and identity thieves from seeing your credit information without your permission. Freezing your credit empowers you to take control of your financial well-being, ensuring your credit history remains protected from fraudulent activity. 

However, if you placed a freeze on your credit report and want to unfreeze it, here's what to do.

How to unfreeze your credit

To unfreeze your credit, first determine which credit bureau has frozen your credit. Most people who have requested a credit freeze have done so with all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Once you know which credit reporting agency to contact, you can place your request to unfreeze your credit either online, by mail, or over the phone —  the process may vary slightly depending on which bureau you're dealing with. 

If you’ve requested a freeze on your credit file with all three credit bureaus, you must unfreeze your credit from each one individually.

1. How to unfreeze your credit with Experian

Unfreezing your credit with Experian is as simple as creating an online account (or signing into your existing account). From there, you can to toggle off your credit freeze or schedule a temporary thaw for a specific period of time. 

You can also manage a credit file freeze in the Experian mobile app.

2. How to unfreeze your credit with Equifax

Equifax also makes it easy to manage and remove a security freeze online. If you’re unable to create an online account or prefer to lift your freeze by phone or mail, contact Equifax Support or download the mail-in form from the self-service page.

3. How to unfreeze your credit with TransUnion

TransUnion also allows you to easily manage a credit freeze for yourself or a family member. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that TransUnion does issue a PIN when you place a credit freeze, which you will need to manage your online account. If you’ve lost your PIN or you didn’t initiate your credit freeze online, you will need to request a new PIN through the TransUnion Service Center or customer service line.

How long does it take to unfreeze a credit file?

In most cases, a security freeze ends as soon as you submit the unfreeze request. Keep in mind, however, that requesting to lift a freeze by mail takes longer to process than doing so online or over the phone.

How long should a credit freeze last?

A credit freeze stays in place until you choose to lift or remove it.

You may decide to maintain a credit freeze indefinitely as a long-term security measure. But if you plan on applying for a loan or credit card anytime soon, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit file first. 

You will also need to unfreeze your credit to apply for a new rental agreement, insurance policy, or even a job requiring a background check.

Is it OK to freeze my credit again after unfreezing it?

Whether you decide to refreeze your credit is up to you. If you’ve been the victim of identity theft, for example, you may want to reimplement your credit freeze as soon as the creditor, property manager, or potential employer has run their credit check.

As with any major financial decision, it’s important to do your research and explore available options before requesting or lifting a security freeze. Signing up for fraud alerts or a credit monitoring service, reviewing your annual credit reports, and changing your account passwords regularly can go a long way toward avoiding the need for a credit freeze in the first place.

Unfreeze your credit and unlock new credit opportunities

A credit freeze serves as a protective shield, preventing unauthorized access to your credit history and safeguarding your sensitive data. Utilizing your ability to manage access to your credit allows you to control your financial security and better prepare for future credit opportunities.