How to unfreeze your credit report (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to unfreeze all three credit bureaus? ›

You have to unfreeze your credit at all three credit bureaus individually, unless you know which credit bureau a creditor is using for credit checks and choose to lift your freeze at just that one.

You can unfreeze your credit report at each of the three bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—online through your accounts, over the phone or by mailing the correct documentation.

In most cases, if you request to remove the freeze (also known as "thawing" your credit report) online or by telephone, your Experian credit file can be unfrozen within a matter of minutes—although you should allow up to an hour.

The quickest and easiest way to remove (or "thaw") a credit freeze is to contact each credit bureau online or by phone. If you've frozen your credit at all three national bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax), you'll need to thaw it at each bureau separately.

You can unfreeze your credit or temporarily lift a freeze for a set amount of time when you're ready to apply for new credit and allow access to lenders.

Placing, temporarily lifting and permanently removing a security freeze on your credit reports is free.

A bank account may be frozen indefinitely or until you meet the requirements set forth for lifting the freeze. However, it usually takes 3 weeks, which is intended to give you enough time to resolve your dispute with the creditor.

Duration: A credit freeze lasts until you remove it. How to place: Contact each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Security freezes can be temporarily lifted

At Equifax, you can use your myEquifax account to lift a security freeze for a date range you specify. You can also lift a security freeze by phone by calling our automated line at (800) 349-9960 or calling Customer Care at (888) 298-0045.

Yes. If you want to open a new credit account or get a new loan, you can lift the freeze on your credit file. You can lift it for a period of time.

Can your credit score increase while frozen? ›

Freezing your credit won't affect your credit score. That doesn't mean, however, that your credit score won't change. Other factors such as your amount of debt and whether or not you make credit card payments on time might cause your credit score to rise or fall.

A credit freeze is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from having identity thieves open credit accounts in your name. Freezes prohibit consumer credit reporting agencies from disclosing the contents of a credit report to any person requesting the data.

A security freeze prevents prospective creditors from accessing your credit file. Creditors typically won't offer you credit if they can't access your credit reporting file, so a security freeze, also called a credit freeze, prevents you or others from opening accounts in your name.

To unfreeze your TransUnion credit file, visit the online TransUnion credit freeze management page or call 888-909-8872. According to TransUnion, freezing and unfreezing your credit online or by phone happens in real time. But to be safe, allow up to one hour for the change to take effect.

By mail. Fill out a freeze request form and send it to Equifax. Include copies of documents that confirm your identity, such as a utility bill or driver's license, and request to unfreeze your credit.

Good news: You don't have to lift your credit freeze to check your credit report. By law, individuals are allowed to check their own credit report even if they have a credit freeze in place. All you have to do is request a free credit report, just as you would if your credit were not frozen.

If your account is frozen due to suspicious activities, you can simply call up your bank and resolve it. If it is frozen due to any other reason that involves debts and bankruptcy, the best step to take is to go to the court and vacate the judgment at the earliest to unfreeze your account quickly.

If your account is frozen because of activity you know is legitimate, go to the bank with proof. If you can show that there's no reason for the freeze, the bank will probably release the suspension and grant you full access to the account again.

The account freeze is lifted if, and when, payment is made in full to clear an outstanding debt to a creditor or the government. In some cases, the creditor may be able to settle the debt for a lower amount. In cases of suspicious activity, the bank generally lifts a freeze order after an investigation is complete.

Can I unfreeze Experian by phone? ›

When you toggle to unfrozen, Experian will lift your freeze within one hour. If you do not have an Experian account, you can create a free account at Experian's Security Freeze Center to unfreeze your credit online. You can also call 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) or contact Experian by mail to unfreeze your credit.

Freeze or Unfreeze Your Credit File for Free - Experian.

Your money could be at risk. Creditors can collect your money as part of their debt-collection tactics to satisfy the judgment. Having a lawyer has proven to be successful in unfreezing your account but you need to take the necessary steps as soon as possible.

Yes, you can still build credit with a credit freeze. It doesn't affect your ability to use your current credit cards or other types of revolving credit. But if you want to open new lines of credit, including new credit cards, you'll need to unfreeze your credit.