If you unfreeze your credit online, you don’t need the PIN that you set up when you froze your credit.Here are some important things to keep in mind when you go to lift your credit freeze: Here are all the contact points you need to unfreeze your credit: Credit Bureau To apply for a loan or open a new line of credit, you’ll need to unfreeze (some credit bureaus may use the terms “lift” or “thaw”) your credit with one or more of the credit bureaus, depending on which one your lender uses. How Do I Lift, Unfreeze or Thaw My Credit Freeze? Once you freeze your credit, you will receive documentation, or if you make the request electronically, a notification, saying that your ability to open new lines of credit will be restricted.įreezing your credit online with the other two credit bureaus is pretty much the same process. You can use this sample letter and be sure to include the necessary attachments.įor example, when I logged onto my TransUnion account, I clicked on “Add a Freeze” and had to confirm my choice for it to take effect. Important note: If you choose to request your credit freeze via mail, make sure you do so by certified mail. If you already have an online account, log on and click on the respective credit freeze page (see the links above) of each of the bureaus. To get started, you’ll need to create an account online with each of the credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The quickest and easiest way to freeze your credit is online. How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit Bureau In addition, we’ve included phone numbers and addresses. This is all done to verify your identity.īelow you’ll find direct links to the credit freeze page for each credit bureau. You will also likely be asked some questions about prior places of residence and credit accounts you may have or have had in the past. To freeze your credit, you will need to give each credit bureau some information to prove your identity. What Information Will I Need To Provide To Freeze My Credit? To freeze your credit, you have to contact each of the three major credit reporting agencies individually via online, the phone, or through the U.S. In this article, we’ll show you how to place a security freeze on your credit with all three main credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. And best of all, freezing your credit is free! When you hear “freeze your credit,” you may think it’s a complicated process, but it’s actually pretty simple. “A credit freeze is the best way to protect yourself from identity thieves,” says Clark. After we receive the request and verify your identity, you will receive confirmation.Money expert Clark Howard has long talked up the benefits of freezing your credit as a way to better protect your finances and keep your hard-earned money away from criminals.
Read more about acceptable documents here. If you are requesting to temporarily lift or permanently remove a security freeze via mail, you'll need to provide documents to validate your identity and address. Please download this form for instructions and mailing address. You'll also have the option to receive a one-time PIN by text message or answer questions based on information in your Equifax credit report for identity verification. You'll be required to give certain information to verify your identity. You can check the status of your security freeze through your myEquifax account as well. Online, by creating a myEquifax account.You can do this in one of the following ways: If you want to convert your security freeze to a lock, you'll need to permanently remove the freeze. You can have a security freeze on your Equifax credit report or a lock, but not both.