Freezing your credit isn’t the same as locking a lost credit card. A “security freeze” applies to your credit report—not your card—and helps protect against identity theft.
When you apply for a new credit card or loan, lenders check your credit report. If it’s frozen, rating agencies block access, and your application will be denied. The good news: Unfreezing is quick and easy. Here’s what to know before you do it.
What is a credit freeze?
A credit freeze is when you ask the rating agencies to block access to your credit reports. While the freeze is active, creditors can’t access your report, credit score, or any of the details needed to open a new credit account under your name.
A credit freeze can help prevent identity theft because thieves can’t create new lines of credit on your behalf, even if they have your personal information and Social Security number (SSN). Keep in mind, you also can’t apply for credit while a freeze is in place.
How long does it take to unfreeze your credit?
Unfreezing your credit online should only take a few minutes per credit bureau. You must log in to each one separately with your password, 2-factor authentication, and security questions you set up for accessing your account.
The unfreezing process will be instant in most cases. However, you could unfreeze for a couple of days before applying for credit to play it safe. That way, you know your report is accessible, and you avoid getting denied because the creditor can’t review your information.
Keep in mind, if you request to unfreeze your reports by mail, the process could take a week or longer as you wait on delivery and processing times. In this case, plan ahead and remove the freeze well before you submit your application.
How to unfreeze your credit at all 3 credit bureaus
The three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—each keep their own version of your credit report and score. If you’ve frozen your credit with all three, you’ll need to go through each one separately to lift the freeze. Or, if you know which credit report a lender will check for an application, you could only unfreeze that one.
The process of unfreezing credit is slightly different at each bureau.
How to unfreeze your credit at Equifax
- At Equifax, you can unfreeze your credit online through your myEquifax account.
- Once you're logged in, you'll see options to “manage a freeze” or “freeze” right on the homepage. If your credit is currently frozen, it’ll show up there.
- Selecting “manage a freeze” lets you either lift the freeze temporarily or remove it completely.
- If you choose a temporary lift, you can set how long it lasts—and once that time’s up, the freeze will automatically go back into place.
- You could also call Equifax at 888-298–0045 to remove a credit freeze. They’ll ask you to verify your identity with a PIN sent to your phone or by answering questions about your credit history.
How to unfreeze your credit at Experian
- You can unfreeze your Experian credit report online by logging into your Experian account.
- If your credit is frozen, you’ll see that status and can choose to lift the freeze—either temporarily or permanently.
- You can also unfreeze your credit by calling Experian at 888-397-3742 or mailing a request to:
Experian Security Freeze
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
- If you mail your request, be prepared to verify your identity. You’ll need to include your name, Social Security number, date of birth, a copy of your driver’s license, your addresses from the past two years, and a recent bank statement or utility bill.
How to unfreeze your credit at TransUnion
- Log into the TransUnion Service Center, select “unfreeze,” and you’ll be all set.
- You could unfreeze your credit by calling TransUnion at 800-916-8800.
- You can unfreeze your credit by sending a written request to:
TransUnion
PO Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
- You’ll need to provide your name, address, and SSN to lift the freeze by mail.
How to decide when to unfreeze your credit
You should unfreeze a credit report whenever you’re applying for anything that requires credit. A few common reasons to unfreeze your credit include applying for credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and other types of financing.
Landlords often want to check your credit score before approving rental applications and some employers may also want to check your credit history as part of the interview process. In these cases, you’ll need to unlock a credit freeze to give them complete access.
Unfreeze your credit until you’ve finished applying for what you need and then reinstate the freeze once that’s done for further identity theft protection.
How can you minimize fraud when your credit isn’t frozen?
When your credit is unfrozen, you’re more exposed to fraud, so you’ll want to stay vigilant and follow the best practices for preventing identity theft.
Here’s a few things you can do:
- Monitor your credit reports to ensure nothing is opened under your name that wasn’t from you.
- Consider signing up for a credit monitoring service which alerts you whenever a new credit application is submitted under your name.
- If your private information was stolen in the past, placing a fraud alert on your credit reports adds an extra layer of protection. For example, you provide your phone number, and the creditor will know to call that number first as part of their review.
All these measures help, but you could protect yourself even more by reinstating the freeze as soon as possible. If you unfreeze your credit for only a short period, you minimize the fraud risk.
How to decide if you should freeze your credit again
You may consider re-freezing your credit if:
- You have elevated concerns about identity theft. For example, you were the victim of a data breach, or you know someone stole your personal information in the past.
- You’re about to travel abroad and won’t pay as much attention to your finances. That way, you have peace of mind during the trip, especially when you’re likely to provide private information more frequently, like hotels and airlines.
- You don’t expect to apply for more credit cards or loans in the foreseeable future, so you can freeze your credit to be safe.
Remember, there’s no cost to freeze and unfreeze, and each step only takes a few minutes online.