Unfreeze Your Credit Report: Steps to Take

The quickest and easiest way to lift a credit freeze is to contact the credit agency (or bureaus) via which you originally placed the freeze. You can, however, also write to them if you choose.

Contact Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® separately if you froze your credit record with all three bureaus. You may need the personal identification number (PIN) or password you set up when you froze your account.

Remember that a credit freeze is not the same as a credit lock. Be familiar with the distinction between freezing and locking your credit.

Unfreezing Credit with Experian

In the online version of the process, you can have the credit freeze lifted immediately or later. You can choose to temporarily or permanently unfreeze your Experian credit report. If you always raise a credit freeze, your file will only be closed again if you lift the freeze. A temporary thaw allows creditors to pull your credit report for a limited time.

Unfreezing Credit with Equifax

In order to remove the freeze on your Equifax credit record, you will need to create a "my Equifax" account. Freezing and unfreezing your Equifax credit report online no longer necessitates a PIN.

However, this is no longer the case. Equifax allows you to temporarily lift a credit freeze (from one day to an entire year) for a single creditor or for an extended period.

If you want to unfreeze or reinstate your freeze over the phone, you will need to answer some security questions or have a one-time PIN sent to your phone. Download a form from Equifax's website to freeze or unfreeze your credit report by mail; include copies of identification documents such as a Social Security card and a recent bill showing your current address.

Unfreezing Credit with Transunion

To unfreeze your TransUnion credit report, you must create an account and a PIN at the TransUnion Service Center. Your credit report can be unfrozen over the phone or in the mail; all you need is your PIN.

A credit freeze placed by TransUnion can be temporarily lifted, either permanently or for individual creditors. Until you take action to the contrary, your frozen or unfrozen TransUnion credit will remain unchanged.

How Long Does It Take To Unfreeze Credit?

The credit freeze must be lifted within one hour if you submit the request online or over the phone to any of the three main credit bureaus. Requests submitted via mail will take longer to process. Once notified, nevertheless, the credit bureaus have three business days to lift the hold. Remember that you must use the postal service to request the removal of a credit freeze on behalf of a minor.

Cost to Unfreeze Your Credit

All three major credit reporting agencies offer free unfreezing services.

1. Consider Using Experian CreditLock

Experian CreditLock is an alternative to a security freeze that allows you to temporarily lock and unlock your Experian credit file from your mobile device using the Experian app. In addition to closing your credit report, CreditLock will notify you of any unauthorized efforts to access it. Consumers can use CreditLock's capabilities at no extra cost with a premium membership to either Experian CreditWorksSM or Experian IdentityWorksSM.

2. Credit Unfreezing Is Simple

Unfreezing your credit report can be done quickly and safely with the help of online resources, over the phone or through the mail. You can work with each bureau to temporarily unfreeze or permanently unfreeze your credit file so that it can be accessed by outside parties as needed.

When To Unfreeze Your Credit Report

A freeze on your credit report will remain in place until you manually lift the hold. Unfreezing your credit will allow potential lenders to check your credit history and determine if they will extend it. You can unfreeze your credit report in one of two ways.

Temporarily

Temporary can be helpful if you have fallen victim to identity theft or fraud. Thawing is another term for this process. You can give creditors access to your credit for a limited time by temporarily thawing it. You can unfreeze your credit for a limited time by contacting the credit reporting agency in advance.

Permanently

Permanently unfreezing your credit is an option if you are certain that your account has not been compromised.

Credit Freeze Vs. Credit Lock

Both freezing and locking your credit will prevent anyone from accessing your credit history. In contrast to credit freezes, credit locks are normally only available as part of a credit monitoring program that costs money. You have complete control over how long a credit freeze lasts. If you buy a lock, it will work if you keep paying for it. The key benefit of a credit lock over a credit freeze is that you may lock and unlock your credit report instantly, all without leaving the comfort of your own home.