Key takeaways
- A credit freeze is one of the best ways to protect your credit score and finances.
- You can temporarily lift a credit freeze when applying for credit.
- You have to unfreeze with each credit bureau.
- You can manage credit freezes online, over the phone and by mail.
A credit freeze protects your personal information and credit report by making it inaccessible to others, including fraudsters. But how do you unfreeze your credit when you need it?
Knowing how to unfreeze your credit is important so you can apply for credit cards, mortgages and other loan products. Luckily, it’s a fast and easy (if repetitive) process. You can unfreeze your credit by contacting each credit bureau online, by phone, or by mail.
How do I unfreeze my credit?
When you freeze your credit, you need to contact the three major credit bureaus individually. To unfreeze your credit, you have to do the same – contact each bureau online, over the phone, or by mail.
You can choose to temporarily unfreeze your credit (called a thaw) just long enough to apply for new credit, such as a credit card, car loan, or mortgage. You can also permanently remove a credit freeze if you believe you’re no longer at risk of someone using your info to open new credit in your name.
Pro Tip: It never hurts to keep your credit frozen. While it may be inconvenient to thaw your credit every time you apply for a new loan or credit card, a credit freeze is one of the best ways to protect your finances and your credit score against fraudsters.1
How to unfreeze credit at all three major credit bureaus
If you want to unfreeze your credit, it’s relatively simple. Here is an overview for unfreezing your credit at all three major credit bureaus:
| TransUnion Unfreeze | Experian Unfreeze | Equifax Unfreeze | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | TransUnion website | Experian website | Equifax website |
| Phone | 800-916-8800 | 888-397-3742 | 888-298-0045 |
| TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094 | Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 | Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348 |
How to unfreeze credit with Transunion
To initiate a Transunion credit freeze lift, you can log in to the website, call Transunion, or contact the bureau by mail.
- Online: Visit TransUnion’s Credit Freeze page, and click on the “Unfreeze” button. Create an account or log in to an existing account, then follow the steps to unfreeze.
- By phone: Call 800-916-8800 and request to unfreeze your credit. TransUnion will verify your identity using personal information like your Social Security number.2
- By mail: Mail a letter to TransUnion requesting to unfreeze your credit report. Address the envelope to TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094.2 Your request must include one photocopied proof of Social Security number and two photocopied proofs of your current address.
These methods work for both permanently and temporarily lifting a Transunion credit freeze. You can schedule a freeze removal up to 15 days before you need to unfreeze your credit.2
How to unfreeze credit with Experian
To unfreeze all of your credit, you’ll also need to arrange an Equifax credit freeze lift. You can do so online, over the phone, or by mail.
- Online: Visit the Experian Credit Freeze page to sign in to your Experian account (or create one if you don’t currently have an account). Once logged in, simply toggle the option from “frozen” to “unfrozen” or schedule a thaw for a specific time period.
- By phone: Call 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) and request to unfreeze your credit. You’ll need to provide some information to verify your identity.3
- By mail: Mail a letter to Experian asking to unfreeze your credit report. Address the envelope to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013. Include your name, Social Security number, complete list of addresses from the last two years, date of birth, a copy of a government-issued identification card, and a copy of a utility bill or bank statement.3
You can use any of these three methods for both temporary and permanent credit thaws.
How to unfreeze credit with Equifax
Finally, you’ll need an Equifax credit freeze lift. Like with the other bureaus, you have three options: online, phone, and mail.
- Online: Visit Equifax’s Security Freeze page to sign in or create an account. Once logged in, you can change the status of your freeze with the click of a button – or schedule a thaw for a later date.
- By phone: Call 888-298-0045 and request to unfreeze your credit. You will either need to receive a one-time PIN via text message or answer a few questions based on your credit report to verify your identity.4
- By mail: Download and fill out this form, marking that you want to unfreeze your credit. Send it to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348, along with a copy of a valid ID and a copy of an acceptable document proving your address, such as a utility bill or a bank statement.4
These three methods work for both permanent and temporary credit unfreezes.
When to unfreeze your credit
You will only need to unfreeze your credit if you’re expecting a hard inquiry on your credit report. Soft inquiries (also called soft credit checks) are usually possible even when your credit is frozen.5
What does this mean?
- You will need to unfreeze your credit when applying for a credit card or loan, including a personal loan, car loan, student loan, or mortgage.
- You won’t need to unfreeze your credit when signing up for utilities or a phone plan, submitting to an employment background check, signing a rental agreement for an apartment, or purchasing an insurance policy. While businesses, employers, landlords, and insurers may check your credit in these scenarios, it’s generally a soft pull, so your credit can stay frozen.6
What’s the difference between a temporary thaw and a permanent lift?
When you unfreeze your credit, you can choose between a temporary thaw and a permanent lift. These work exactly as they sound:
- Temporary thaw: A temporary thaw is just that – temporary. You schedule a time during which your credit is unfrozen and lenders can pull it. This is ideal if you are applying for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage and want your credit unfrozen during the application process.
- Permanent lift: A permanent lift is just that – permanent. When you permanently lift a credit freeze, the credit freeze goes away, and your credit is now available at all times. Of course, you can decide to refreeze your credit at a later date, but you’ll have to do so manually.
Remember that a permanent lift may leave your credit more vulnerable to fraud or identity theft. If you’re worried about the security of your information, choose a temporary thaw on your file instead of a permanent removal.
Unfreeze your credit when needed – but don’t forget to refreeze
Many major money moves, like taking out a personal loan, require you to unfreeze your credit. Fortunately, unfreezing your file is simple and free. If you’re worried about identity theft, you may want to consider keeping your credit frozen.
Looking for other ways to protect your finances and your identity? Sign up for credit monitoring services to get updates whenever there are changes to your credit report – and instantly identify suspicious activity.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to call all 3 credit bureaus to unfreeze my credit?
Yes, if you only call one credit bureau, your credit may still be frozen at the other two. If you want to properly unfreeze your credit, you must contact all three credit bureaus by phone, mail, or online.
How long does it take to unfreeze credit?
- Up to one hour if you submit your request online or by phone.
- Up to three business days after the bureau receives your request (delivery adds time to this) if you submit your request by mail.⁷
Will unfreezing my credit help my credit score?
The act of freezing or unfreezing your credit won’t affect your credit score, but that doesn’t mean your credit score can’t change while it’s frozen. There are many inputs that go into your credit score, so your credit score can change regularly even during a freeze, including your amount of debt and the timeliness of your credit card payments. The good news is that means you can still build credit while your report is frozen.
Unfreezing may not improve your credit score, but it can help protect it from fraudsters. When your credit is frozen with all three credit bureaus, criminals can’t open new credit accounts in your name.
How long does a credit freeze last if I don't request an unfreeze?
Under federal law, credit freezes last until you lift them – unlike financial records on your credit report, which eventually fall off. That way, you don’t have to worry about your credit report becoming vulnerable again without your consent.⁸
Can I apply for credit when my credit report is frozen?
When applying for new credit, you’ll have to unfreeze your credit to allow creditors to access your credit history – and you’ll need to do it with all three major credit bureaus. Good news: It’s free and easy to unfreeze your credit before applying for a new credit card or loan.
How soon after freezing my credit can I unfreeze it?
Freezing and unfreezing your credit can be done as often as you like, but remember that it can take up to a day for the freezing process to go through when submitting a request by phone or online (and an hour for unfreezing). There’s no limit to how many times you can unfreeze your credit.⁷