The Timeline
The timeline for lifting a credit freeze—sometimes known as a “security freeze”—depends on how you request it. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the three major credit bureaus are required to lift a freeze within one hour if the request is made online or by phone. If you mail your request, they are required to lift the freeze within three business days of receiving your request. (Mail is the required method if you are requesting a credit freeze for a minor child.)
Ways to Unfreeze
Each credit bureau has its own process for unfreezing credit reports. You may need to have the PIN you received when you initially froze your credit.
Unfreezing Your Credit With Equifax
Online: You’ll need to create a MyEquifax account if you haven’t already. You can unfreeze your credit, check the status of your request, or initiate a new credit freeze if necessary. By phone: Call 888-298-0045. By mail: You’ll need to download this form from Equifax. Equifax will lift the freeze once your identity is verified. Mail to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348.
Unfreezing Your Credit With Experian
Online: You don’t need to create an account; there’s a simple form you can complete online.By phone: Call 888-397-3742.By mail: Mail to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.
Unfreezing Your Credit With TransUnion
Online: You’ll need to create an online account with TransUnion or go through the myTransUnion app. By phone: Call 888-909-8872. By mail: Mail your written request to TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094.
Is There a Way to Speed Up the Process?
An hour isn’t long, but if you have an urgent need for a credit thaw because you’re vying for a coveted apartment rental or applying for a loan to pay for an emergency vet bill, you may be able to speed things up by explaining the circumstances to a phone representative at the credit bureau. If you need to send in your request, you can pay extra for overnight mail. You may also be able to prepare ahead of time to minimize any delays or problems. TransUnion, for instance, allows you to schedule the end of a credit freeze 15 days in advance.
You can specify how long you want the freeze to be lifted—a day, a week, or more—or you can do it indefinitely. (As long as you know roughly how long your loan applications will take to process, setting a time frame is a good way to give yourself time to apply to multiple lenders to get the best rate.) If you opt for a temporary lift and know which credit bureau your lender will contact, you can save time by making your request at that bureau only. If you don’t know, make sure to contact all three bureaus. Don’t confuse a credit freeze with a credit lock. A lock is similar, but it can be applied or removed almost instantly either online or through a mobile app offered by the credit bureaus. Unlike a freeze, its protections aren’t guaranteed by law, and there may be a fee. A credit freeze only prevents a thief from opening a new account in your name. It doesn’t prevent him or her from making charges to your existing accounts. You still need to monitor all bank, credit card, and insurance statements for fraudulent transactions.
