Identity theft has been a growing concern for consumers over the past decade, as more activities become Internet-based. Shopping, banking and applying for credit can all be done online, making it a challenge to fully protect yourself from the malicious intent of identity thieves.
However, there are tools in place meant to protect you from having your information used for the benefit of someone else, including a security credit freeze.
What is a Credit Freeze?
A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is the process of freezing your credit to provide a barrier between your personal credit file and an identity thief. By placing a credit freeze on each of your credit reports held with the three major credit bureaus TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, new applications for credit cannot be approved because creditors are unable to view your credit report history and score.
A credit freeze is powerful because even when a criminal gathers your personal information, he or she has no way to use it to open a new credit card account, loan, or other line-of-credit. A credit freeze does not have an impact on your current credit accounts, and it can be permanently removed (thawed, unfrozen) or temporarily lifted when necessary.
Why Would I Lift a Credit Freeze?
The process of enacting a credit freeze on your credit file involves the creation of a unique personal identification number (PIN) with each of the three major credit bureaus. This PIN can be used to temporarily lift or permanently unfreeze (thaw) a credit freeze when a new, legitimate application for credit is submitted.
Because credit decisions cannot be made without a full review of your credit report and history, you may want to lift a credit freeze when you are applying for a new credit card, personal loan, mortgage or line-of-credit.
Once the application is approved, you can reinstate the credit freeze if you deem it necessary.
Credit Freeze Lift Process
Thanks to a new law that went into place in 2018 its now free to place, lift, and remove a security freeze. Each of the three main credit reporting agencies have similar procedures for lifting a credit freeze. Here are the instructions for each of them.
Lift an Equifax Credit Freeze
You can lift a credit freeze from your credit file with Equifax by one of the following:
- Request it with your PIN via the website
- Calling the automated system at (800) 349-9960
- Mailing your request
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, Georgia 30348.
Include your PIN and two forms of identification, such as a copy of your drivers license or government ID, social security number, and proof of address using a utility bill or something similar.
You can mention specific creditors you would like to have access to your credit report and score, or permanently remove the freeze if necessary. There is no longer a cost to lift a credit freeze with Equifax.
Lift an Experian Credit Freeze
You can lift a credit freeze from your credit file with Experian using one of the following ways:
- Request it using your PIN on the website
- Calling a customer service representative or using the automated system at 888-397-3742
- Mail your request, preferably by certified mail
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Be sure to include your PIN and a couple of forms of ID, along with the specific creditors you would like to have access to your credit file, or permanently remove the security freeze if necessary. It’s now free to lift your credit freeze with Experian.
Lift a TransUnion Credit Freeze
You can lift a credit freeze from your credit file with TransUnion using any of the following methods:
- Request the lift with your PIN via the website
- By calling a customer service representative at 888-909-8872
- Mailing your lift or removal request to the credit bureau
TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
Include your Personal Identification Number and other supporting documentation such as your ID, SSN and proff of address.
You can provide information on the specific creditors you would like to have access to your credit file, or permanently remove the freeze with all three credit bureaus if necessary. If you are having trouble locating your PIN number, check out our post with guidance on unfreezing a credit report without the PIN.
Hi Jovanna, It shouldn’t be difficult to unfreeze your credit report when you are ready by following one of the many steps above. Otherwise, you can follow the instructions in another one of our articles that specifically covers how to unfreeze your credit file without a PIN.
my husband and I froze our credit, and now we have to unfreeze it, and I’m seeing there was a pin? we never received a pin of acknowledgment, from the letter sent to all credit bureaus, they received the letters to freeze. how do I get pin numbers to unfreeze our credit? I have read many reviews, saying the difficulty of this process.
Hi Glenda, I’m sorry to hear about your trouble. Did you ever get it worked out?
I tried to reach Experian to lift a temp. freeze of their credit freeze–spent hours on the computer trying to do this, only them finding something wrong with every try. I am so furious at their crummy service. I wouldn’t recommend poor, lousy service!! you might as well have no credit freeze if you can’t lift one time!!! them to the devil himself.
Which company are you referring to? Have you tried contacting them?
I placed a temp lift to unfreeze my acct last night, I have a conf # also, went to apply for a loan today, they say my acct is still froze , what should I do?
Ugh, I’m really sorry to hear that Jerry. Did Experian thaw it each time you sent certified mail? How long did it take from the day you send until thawing?
Equifax new phone service sucks., ALSO THERE ON LINE SERVICE FOR LIFTING A CREDIT FREEZE. I’VE
NOT HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE, BUT I CAN’T GET IT THAW NOW. ALSO, EXPERIAN IS EVEN WORSE AS I TRIED THREE TIMES BY PHONE IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS, AND EACH TIME I’V HAD TO SEND CERTIFIED
MAIL . THIS IS COSTLY,AND TIME CONSUMING; BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT DELAY THE LOAN PROCESS. IT TIME THE GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED
Hi Timothy, i’m really sorry to hear of your trouble. Unfortunately, working with those companies can be a pain at times.
What is error code 219?
Which company are you “trying” to get assistance from: Equifax, TransUnion or Experian?
Also, what are you trying to achieve?
My online access is frozen. I called and talked to MULTIPLE people to fix this error code 219. All they did was to keep transferring me from one operator to another asking the same questions over and over again. I finally got upset with last person that was about to transfer me again when I said, “No! I’m not talking to another person. The last person I talked to said you can fix this, so fix it.” After being told to ‘Calm down’, I hung up.
Your call center is as bad as AT&T’s call center and that’s a pretty low bar to achieve.
How do I fix this so I can have online access? And don’t tell me to call someone please.
Hi Richard, I’m sorry to hear of your trouble. This is just an article we have written to help those with frozen credit, unfreeze it. We are not able to work with the credit bureaus to help you beyond that. However, we can try to provide tips and advice for accomplishing your goals as it is indeed true the credit bureaus can be a pain the butt to work with in various situations.
What have you tried so far?
Why is it so hard to reach a human being at your company. All I want to do is temporally remove a freeze on my credit. I have my numbers from you people but it won’t let me un freeze it. Why does Experian have to make this so difficult.
Hi Sybil, Not necessarily. Is this strictly a bank account or a credit card or other revolving account? According to the FTC website existing creditors will still have access to your credit report.
Experian expects me to mail documents to them before I can unfreeze my account (which I didn’t freeze. Transunion expects me to PAY $30 for unfreezing my account. Why is this so hard? I did not put a freeze on my credit. Transunion is updating my FICO score to my bank weekly. Does this mean that Transunion is NOT freezing my account?
Great to hear Marette. Once I learned to navigate my way around I did not have too much trouble either.
I did not have any problems with the credit bureaus they were helpful and took care of me right away love theses people they are doing a good job. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK 😚
How can I unlock my freeze when the website doesn’t recognize my last name. This is so ridiculous. They should all 3 be sued!!!
Yes they are automated systems that allow you to life your credit. Unfortunately the credit bureaus do everything they can to avoid having you talk to someone unless you pay for one of their services.
I need to lift my name from all three Experian, Equifax and trans union but the phone numbers are automated and won’t let me talk to someone. Any help you can give me is appreciated.
Hi there, you will need to contact Experian directly.
I need to cancel our service with Experian
How did you put the lock on your file with all 3 credit bureaus? You can usually remove a lock through each of their websites.
I have a lock on all three bureaus. How do I go by uplifting them?
What have you tried so far? Here’s what to do when you don’t have your PIN.
I do not have my PIN numbers…Experian was able to lift without it, but I am getting no where with TransUnion or Equifax!
HELP!!!!!
Hi Pedro,
I’m sorry, but we can’t help you with that. You will need to contact each of the credit bureaus individually to remove a credit freeze.
Please remove all the credit freeze from all 3 credit bureaus
Hi Alexandra, you’ll need to unfreeze it with all three unless you know which credit bureau the credit card company will be pulling your credit report from.
I have a FREEZE with all 3 bureaus. I would like to apply for a credit card.
Do I need to lift the freeze on ALL 3 bureaus
or can I just unfreeze 1?
How long should I stay on the freezes with
all 3 bureaus?
Hi Brian, I’m sorry to hear that. Here’s the information for removing a security freeze without your PIN.
Hi Sandra,
When you say TransUnion won’t let you lift it online, what is happening exactly? Also, have you tried calling TransUnion?
I’ve tried calling each and everyone also there websites. I inadvertently deleated the pin numbers given when I got my new phone. There customer service representatives accents were so bad I could not understand a word being said. I just need new pins to get a temporary lift so I can apply for a car. Unfortunately had I known it was this difficult I would not have placed one but my information was confirmed comprised by Equifax what can I do
I’m trying to “lift” a security freeze with TransUnion
( 5 days) in order to apply for refinancing of my home mortgage: have PIN assigned on 10/14/15.
Supposedly, I should be able to “lift”the “freeze” online, however, TransUnion is not allowing me to
complete the process ONLINE!
PLEASE, I NEED HELP, ASAP!!
Hi James, I’m sorry to hear about that. It sounds like Experian thinks you’ve asked to freeze your credit file with them for some reason. Which means creditors won’t be able to access your Experian credit report to check your credit and verify other identifiable information until you temporarily “lift” it, or remove it completely. If you’re not able to do either of those through their automated system, you probably won’t have much luck via the website either. So you’ll either need to mail them a letter explaining your situation and what you would like to do, or try requesting a replacement PIN that will allow you to unfreeze your credit through the automated phone system and website.
New mgrs. say experian has a credit freeze that needs to be released. I don’t know what they are talking about. What should I do ? My credit is now and always has been excellent. What is all of this ? I am not an illegal alien, and would like to be treated as one !! They have no problems getting whatever they want. I am a 100% disabled vet, looking for an apartment . Why is this so hard ? Plain language please.
Trying to credit file release for apartment I am moving into. Need to talk to a person as this is not one of the options available by robot.
Hi Tammy,
I’m sorry, but you’ll have to work with Experian for that. Have you tried contacting them on Twitter, or doing it via their website. Also, I have found that oftentimes you’ll have to follow the options and select to put a security freeze on your account to get to the options to remove or lift a credit freeze. This applies to both the automated telephone system and online….
Good Evening, I am trying to unlock my security freeze with Experian for 24 hrs only in order for my loan is approved by USAA Bank. Please assist me in this matter because the automatic by phone going to put a freeze on my account when that’s not what I need or want. Please contact me at 803-363-3645. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
V/r,
MSG Tammy Edwards
Unfortunately, unless you’re a victim of identity theft, it would appear so. However, I’d recommend placing a fraud alert on your account instead of freeze. It’s free, and will still allow you to apply for new credit and such.
With the recent Equifax security breach will I be charged to establish a credit freeze with all three credit bureaus?
Yentiz
Hi Roy, have you tried calling them?
Please help me get my pin number from Transunion. Inc.
I lose my pin number. I would like to get my pin number from Transunion Inc.
Hi David, the number works for me. Are you sure you entered (800) 349-9960? That’s the correct number for security freezes. The other is a general customer service number.
I noticed when I tried to call the above provided phone number for Equifax, that it is actually a facsimile (fax) number. So I searched for the Customer Service number and was able to reach their actual automated system. The number I called was (800) 685-1111.
Hi Dorothy, have you tried any of the methods listed in the article? You will need to contact each of the credit bureaus individually. Let us know if you have trouble.
I have lost my file on the freeze Put on my accountas part of the IRS issue the state of SC several years ago. I want it lifted. What can I do?
Hi Maqubela,
Unfortunately we don’t do that here, but can request a copy of each of your credit reports through annualcreditreport.com
Could you please check my credit report, so that I can be able to pay if there is any company I am owing?