Identity theft affects millions of individuals each and every year, and experts suggest that the number of cyber-attacks will continue to rise in the upcoming years. As cyber criminals get savvier in their methods, consumers can and should take certain steps to safeguard their personal information found online and offline.
When the need for new credit is not pressing, a credit freeze can serve as a weapon against identity theft. A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is the process of denying access to your credit report and score through one or more of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
Any time new credit is applied for, a lender or other creditor requests to review an individual’s credit file from any of the three credit reporting agencies to ensure the borrower has a strong track record of on-time payments, responsible use of available credit, and no negative issues like bankruptcy or a court judgment.
When a credit freeze is in place, the consumer’s credit file is not available for viewing, meaning creditors cannot establish a new account. This protects individuals from having their personal information used to open a new credit card, take out a loan, or borrow money in some other shape or form.
Placing a credit freeze follows a relatively similar path for each of the three major credit bureaus. But each agency requires that individuals placing a security credit freeze on their credit report establish a personal identification number (PIN) as an added security measure.
With all the passwords and PINs we have to remember to access our bank account information, e-mail, or social media accounts, losing a credit freeze PIN is all too common. Here’s what to do if you’ve lost it and need to temporarily lift a credit freeze or completely remove a credit report freeze with Equifax, TransUnion or Experian.
Process for Lost PIN Recovery at Each Credit Bureau
Each credit bureau has a different process for retrieving a lost PIN or unfreezing your credit report without the original PIN you established at the time your credit report was frozen.
Unfreeze Equifax Credit Report without PIN
Equifax no longer requires a 10-digit PIN to manage your credit freeze with the company. If you received a personal identification number in the past, you can ignore it update your security freeze by calling Equifax at (888) 298-0045, managing it online, or sending Equifax this form along with proof of identification to temporarily lift or permanently remove the security credit freeze.
Equifax Mailing Address
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, Georgia 30348
Unfreeze TransUnion Credit Report Without PIN
If you want to manage your security freeze with TransUnion online you will not need your 6-digit personal identification number; however, if you prefer calling TransUnion or mailing the business you will need it to have the freeze temporarily lifted or permanently unfrozen.
To retrieve a lost PIN for a TransUnion credit file security freeze, you can now request a replacement PIN online, call 1-888-909-8872 to request your credit report freeze be lifted or removed, or send TransUnion a letter with your request. If you mention you do not have access to your PIN and would like new one, you will be prompted to answer several identifying questions related to your credit history.
When making your request by regular mail, it should include a letter identifying your need and a copy of your driver’s license or other government issued photo ID, SSN identification, and utility bill or paystub with current address displayed. TransUnion does not assess a fee to unfreeze your credit or for a PIN replacement.
TransUnion Mailing Address
TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
Unfreeze Experian Credit Report Without PIN
To request a replacement PIN for unfreezing your credit report with Experian, you may visit the Security Freeze Center on the company’s website. Here, a PIN reminder can be requested after other identifying information is submitted.
Alternatively, you can just remove your security freeze through the same credit freeze section on their website without having to request your PIN first.
If you haven’t lost your PIN or need to request a new one and don’t want to do it over the Internet, you can also unfreeze your credit report by calling Experian at 1-888-397-3742 (888-EXPERIAN) or making your request via post mail.
Experian Mailing Address
Experian Security Freeze
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
When sending your request to Experian by mail, be sure to include the nature of your requests (PIN retrieval, permanently remove freeze or temporarily lift it and for how long), along with a copy of your driver’s license or other government ID, social security number identification, and proof of mailing address such as a paystub or utility bill.
Although it may take more time to temporarily lift or permanently remove a security freeze from your credit report with some of the credit reporting agencies when a PIN is lost, it is still possible to complete the removal process. Be sure to understand what each credit bureau requires to retrieve or replace a lost PIN, then contact the company directly if you need further instructions.
Lol – I need a drink. Sorry to hear about your troubles with TransUnion though, Mike.
Trans Union is a joke. I tried for 20 minutes to unlock my account and they finally just hung up on me. The agent that called back a few minutes later couldn’t help me so he sent me to another number. It was the same idiots I had before. Waiting on another call now. I need a drink.
Hi Lois, I’m sorry to hear about your troubles. Which credit bureau are you having trouble with? If your credit report hasn’t been frozen, then the PIN you are looking for must be different than the one we’re talking about in this article.
I have been trying to access my pin for months your website stinks it keeps take me to unfreeze but its not frozen !!!!
all I want is my pin to change my password which will not work I cant get in
Awesome! Great job. Glad you were able to get it figured out without having to send in all of those documents.
Thanks so much for sharing what you had to do to get it done!
It will surely help a ton of other folks who are having difficulties with the system…through no fault of their own.
Here is what worked for me, with Experian (which was a nightmare!!).
Background: I had a freeze, then temporarily lifted it, and wanted to put it back on sooner than the initial ‘lift’ date, but system wouldn’t let me… And wouldn’t let me go through the form to “retrieve my PIN” (that “retrieve PIN” form was utterly useless and gave me back a denial, telling me to mail all kinds of very sensitive personal docs, including my SSN… absolutely NO WAY I was doing THAT!
So, I completed the form as though I wanted to ADD a freeze and the “confirmation” I got back said my request was denied because I already had a freeze on my account. THEN IT STATED MY PIN number. I then used that PIN number to redo the process, this time to remove a freeze (I decided to delete the temporarily lifted freeze altogether and just create a new freeze), and that worked.
This will help those who can’t find their PINs and/or are struggling to “lift” a freeze. Whew!!
Getting a freeze removed from Experian has been a NIGHTMARE !!! There is no one to talk with. I never received a pin. Trying to buy a house and time is short. Can anyone offer advice PLEASE
Looks like you got that from one of our other articles. Great to hear that worked John!
THIS ACTUALLY WORKED AFTER SPENDING 2 HOURS GOING IN CIRCLES ON THEIR WEBSITE AND AUTO PHONE SYSTEM!!! I TRIED THE BELOW AND WITHIN 2 MINUTES I WAS SPEAKING WITH SOMEONE.
How to Speak to a Live Person at Experian
Call 1 (800) 509-8495
Enter your social security number
Say ‘Credit’ or Press ‘2’
Say ‘Credit Report’ or Press ‘1’
Say ‘Credit Questions’ or Press ‘1’
Wait while you are transferred to a live person at Experian
Hi James, which company are you trying to unfreeze your credit with? Have you contacted them? We are not able to do that for you.
I AM TRYING TO UNFREEZE MY CREDIT TO BUY A HOME
Hi Judith, I’m sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble. Were you ever able to remove the freezes? Perhaps there wasn’t actually a freeze on either your TransUnion or Experian credit reports, and that’s why you’re having trouble online and through their automated system. Credit card companies shouldn’t be able to place a freeze on your profile. How did you find out you had a freeze with each of the credit bureaus? Any chance it could be a fraud alert? The credit freeze have had to originally been placed by you by contacting each credit bureau individually. However, a fraud alert can be placed with all three credit bureaus by only contacting one of them.
To Remove a freeze on my credit report from Experian has been a nightmare. If you think you can talk to a live person by the number that is listed above you are dead wrong. All I wanted to do was remove a freeze on my credit report that was put there by another credit card company when there was fraud on my account without my permission. I have tried to get thru not only to Experian, but also Trans Union (that is a bigger nightmare). TransUnion asks you question that they say was on your credit report that you opened an account with a credit card company some 5 years ago and they wanted to know the opening amount that they gave you. I can tell you this that there isn’t a person alive that can remember what the credit card company gave you for your opening credit limit some 5 years ago and if you cannot answer it correctly they won’t let you go on. What a rip off. EquiFax was the only Credit Reporting Agency that I got to talk to a live person and they removed the freeze from my credit report. I agree with everyone above that there must be a better way of getting your information from them since it is YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. Sometimes it isn’t worth the trouble. Wonder if Pres. Trump would ave this much trouble getting his report. HUMMMMMMMMMMM
Experian is the worst and I am at my wits end. I responded to the Equifax breach and put a freeze on all three credit bureaus through them. I NEVER received any PIN from anyone. Now I can’t get my Experian credit file unfrozen! No one answers the phone on the number supplied in this thread. The online unfreeze does not work since it needs a PIN or doesn’t recognize me. Only option is to send a bunch of sensitive info (DL, SSN, etc.) through snail mail. Really? Seems like it is time for a class action lawsuit to keep these jokers from holding people hostage!!
Hi Arnold, I’m sorry, but we cannot unfreeze your credit. You will need to contact the credit bureaus directly.
Please unfreeze my credit…good God…
Hi Justin, I’m really sorry to hear of your trouble. Oftentimes the reason they can’t remove your information online or over the phone is because they cannot verify you are who you say you are based on the information they have in their database. My guess is something along that line is the issue. Unfortunately, its seems like an all too common scenario. I wish they could make it easier for folks in situations similar to yours. I did not have any issues with their online system when I needed to remove a freeze without my PIN.
Equifax and TransUnion allow you to easily place or remove a freeze on your credit online. Experian, on the other hand, is a completely different story. You cannot, I repeat CANNOT, place or remove a credit freeze online. I have tried multiple times all while entering all the required information that I am absolutely certain was correct and each time, I received a message saying “we are unable to honor your request with the information provided etc…..” The only options you have are over the phone or through the mail. The only drawback with the phone is that you need to remember your PIN. If you don’t, you’re screwed. Oh and you can forget about retrieving your PIN number online. Just to do that, and once again, I have tried this multiple times online, is to send a letter along with your driver’s license, etc. to request that your PIN be sent to you. So long story short, you can no longer place or remove a credit freeze online with Experian no matter what. You can do it over the phone if you know your PIN. If you don’t know your PIN, the only way to place a freeze or remove one is through the mail so you better hope that you’re not in need of applying for a loan or a new card for a balance transfer like I am at any point in the near future.
Trans-union requires both a Drivers License AND a Utility bill showing your name and address
Hi Robert, if you’re still having trouble you can try the steps to reach a live person at each of the credit bureaus:
How to Speak to a Live Person at Experian
I am not a happy EXPERIAN because they will not allow a ‘human being’ TO SOLVE A PROBLEM. Most problems are communication problems that can be handled simply if the customer can speak directly with A LIVE PERSON THANK YOU FOR having a courteous representative taking care of this concern.
That’s too bad. What steps have you taken so far?
I am terribly frustrated with this company, Experian is holding people hostage and it is such a shame that everything thing they asked me to do, I Did my credit is still frozen. Do I need to get the authorities involved? I sent all my personal information to them certified mail almost a month ago… And I have not yet received any response from Experian… I need this credit freeze lifted permanently off my credit
I agree, that would make me a little uncomfortable too. I would send it by Certified Mail.
I did not have my pin for Equifax. I went through all my credit information and they would not even tell me if i had a . freeze. they told me to send a copy of my DL and social security card to them. Sending those to identity items is about the worst advice I have ever heard. The Supervisor told me to do that. that gets stolen in the mail i am screwed. These companies do not have the customer in mind.
Hi Andrea, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble. Did you follow the steps above precisely? It is always possible that our information is out of date and I just want to make sure it isn’t as I can only freeze and unfreeze my account so many times to test. 😉 And, the credit bureaus likes to change things around a lot.
Anyway, here’s an article on Experian’s website also detailing how to request a new PIN.
This is the worst ever, I put security freeze on my account and I cannot contact anyone to get it off 🤨I tried numbers after numbers still no human person they said I needed a pin that I never received then I said I was going to write Experian and then I got to the list of items that they needed and the pin was one of them so now what do I do I’m screwed
Hi Sam, that’s unfortunate. How long ago did you originally freeze your account?
Biggest scam ever. I had my credit report frozen for many years and I have established pin #s for all three so whenever I need, I can unfreeze it. Now, the pins don’t work and when I called the reporting agencies, they want me to send all kind of documents via mail, seriously. This is plain BS. I think the three reporting agencies are punishing the consumers because now to freeze or unfreeze is free but they want to give you hell.
Hi Jim, I can definitely understand your frustration. Did you try calling them with the PIN in hand? Perhaps it’s not getting associated with your credit file properly online or through the automated system.
I have the 10-digit pin that Equifax emailed to me when I set up my credit freeze. However, the pin does NOT work! Such a scam, Equifax should be ashamed of their lousy customer support.
Hi Janet, what kind of trouble are you having?
need to unfreeze without lost pin online
That’s geat ro hear, Garrett. Thanks for letting me know!
Wes, great information, thanks. I went to the web address you listed for Experian and removed the freeze (without my PIN) in about 3 minutes. Thanks again.
I’m sorry to hear that M. Unfortunately, some times they are not able to verify a person’s information through the automated system or online, which is why they require you send in more verifiable information via the mail
Sounds they are having trouble verifying your information which is why they’re asking you to send it in along with additional verifiable identification information.
Hi Sherry, I was able to remove the security freeze on my credit file without the PIN fairly easily at https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html. If that doesn’t work it appears you will have to send them your request via mail.
Hi Marsha, did you ever get this taken care of? I was able to do it through the website very quickly just now. I didn’t request the PIN, but rather asked for them to just remove the freeze altogether. Both options are there on the website though.
888-909-8872 is the phone number to TransUnion so that’s definitely not going to work.
Experian never gave me a pin…no one answers phone there….I tried also calling 888-909-8872 cant get them either…..tell me what I need to do to unfreeze …use my email addr
I received a verification code from equifax to retrieve my pin but that code was invalid. it is already expired…now i do not know what to do other than calling but from what i am reading no one is getting a hold of anyone in person.
UNFREEZE MY ACCOUNT IMMEDIATLY TRANSUNION. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THE NATION WITHOUT A PIN. GET WITH THE PROGRAM. THIS IS SERIOUS AND I HAVE THE RIGHT TO UNFREEZE MY ACCOUNT. IT WAS FROZEN BECAUSE I WAS SCARED OF PEOPLE COMMITTING CRIMES SUCH AS ID THEFTS.
transunion get with the program. I am a citizen and i have right to unfreeze my INFO.
stat.
Hi Lindsey, sorry to hear that. What happens when you call? Do they give you a reason why they want you to send it in writing? It sounds like they may be having trouble verifying your identity over the phone which is why they are asking you to send it via the mail. You might want to consider sending it certified mail so the sending and receiving of the information is recorded.
Keep trying to fill out forms online with my PIN to remove Experian credit hold. Phone does not work either. Keeps saying I have to send in writing. Sorry not putting all that information in the mail. Help. Why can’t we upload documents? Why doesn’t my PIN unfreeze like they said it would? I had no trouble with other 2. Can’t find any phone to speak to a live person to assist in unfreezing Experian credit with my PIN. So frustrated
After an hour spent trying to find a number to speak with a human at Experian I still was not able to retrieve my lost pin. They said I had to submit in writing because I “failed” the section where I typed in my ID information. They are a disrespectful company and should be held accountable for holding peoples personal information.
Hi Raquel, I’m sorry to hear that.
The store was likely only trying to pull your credit from one of the 3 major credit bureaus. Ask them which one they used then contact that credit bureau again. Also, get a denial of credit letter from the retail store to see if they have all of your correct information too. Perhaps there are some typos or other misinformation.
I need to unfreeze my credit reports, I NEVER received a pin from any of the three credit report agencies, I contacted Transunion and was told there was no freeze on my account, I contacted (online) Experian and they say they do not have anything under my name, I tried to contact Equifax same result, NOTHING! I had it frozen when they notified me that my credit had been compromised this was about a year ago, and they suggested I freeze my credit. Now I can’t even get them to acknowledge that I have a credit hold. I applied at adept. store and my credit was denied because they could not access a credit history!!!! This is ridiculous!
Hi John, did you ever have luck getting your credit file unfrozen?
Hi Willie, have you contacted each of the credit bureaus? If so, what sort of trouble are you having?
Hi Yakov, you’ll need to contact Experian directly. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with that.
I wanted to know the status of my request to lift freeze from Experian? I am stuck and don’t know if the information required by Experian has been received or not.Please respond
Thanks
Yakov Melamud
I need help in unlocking or removing a freeze from my credit reports.
Driver’s license must be newer than one year with Transunion. If it’s older they’ll just send a later saying it’s old.
Equifax never replied to my letter.
The Personal Identification Number (PIN) given to you by each credit bureau when you freeze your credit.
What pin are you all talking about
I did exactly what Virginia above did. Everything was done online when I signed up for the security freeze after I was told my account was part of the Equifax breach. I was directed to freeze all three bureaus’s from Equifax. I did it and never received any letter like they claim they did with a pin number. This month we tried to apply for a loan through our bank. Transunion is the only bureau that has made requesting to retrieve my so called pin that I never received impossible. They asked me 2 security questions one of which were places I have worked. None one of them was correct. They immediately stopped asking any further questions! Surely they have more than 2 screening questions and should be able to identify me by looking at my other identifier questions. Now we’re screwed. They were rude, unaccommodating and most of all I could not understand them even the manager. Sounded like they were in India. Equifax and Experian…no problem with helping me retrieve or request a new pin. All was done online with no problems. Now our loan is on hold for 2 or 3 weeks until Transunion decides to mail be the information to get a new pin. Call your congressman and complain. Then call an attorney. I am!!
You’ll probably need to keep waiting. You can expect to wait at least 30 days. You might want to send a letter again to be sure.
I lost my pin. Sent a letter to request a new pin on 4-16-18 and still haven’t got it. tried calling and using chat but no luck, chat directed me here and calling customer service hangs up on you as soon say you dont have a code. I’m trying to rent an apartment and Equifax is preventing it. If its not lifted soon I’ll just get an attorney and he can deal with them.. And you can bet there will be pain and suffering if i end up living in my car.
Called and had to sign up with Lock & alert to get my credit unfrozen with Equifax. Had to download their app to do this. Don’t know why this happened n the first place since I did not request this freeze. Had the nicest lady, Donna, help me.
I have never received a PIN from equifax and I cannot remove the freeze on my credit without one. I have called every number that I can locate.
Never received a pin and now cand lift freeze
Have you tried to unfreeze it using the information in this article?
I’m totally screwed. I was NEVER issued a pin. They emailed me and told me my account was involved in a data breach and recommended I freeze my account. Like a complete IDIOT, I did it. Now, I have no way to unfreeze my account and can’t buy anything on credit FOREVER!! I’m contacting an attorney to sue them. What a bunch of complete screw ups!!
I tried removing without the PIN through TransUnion yesterday. No dice. I had to answer security questions to get them to send me a new PIN. Highly inconvenient, which I assume is how they want it, since freezing credit doesn’t make money for them, so they want to discourage it. Experian was AWESOME, and I was able to temporarily unfreeze over the phone.
Hi John, which bureaus did you freeze your credit with and how long ago?
I never received my pin number to be able to un-freeze my accounts
Hi Marie, did you ever receive your PIN from Equifax?
I never received a pin number from equifax. I did receive a pin number from the other two credit bureau, but not equifax. I was able to remove freeze from transunion and experian, not equifax. I need to remove freeze on equifax ASAP.
Hi Larry,
You will be transferred to a customer service representative if you call 1-888-909-8872 and select the prompts to completely remove the credit freeze, but don’t enter a number when prompted to enter you PIN.
The advice on Transunion would be nice if it actually worked. The problem is you need a PIN number to unlock the freeze, which provided in the of some letter you’re supposed to receive but if you don’t have the letter your screwed. But the concept of this article is you don’t have your pin in the first place. Try calling that number. It’s automated – you’ll never be able to talk to anyone.
You may want to try mailing them a letter but that’s it.