Unfreeze Your Credit in a Few Simple Steps

To temporarily thaw or permanently unfreeze your credit, you’ll need to contact each of the three major reporting bureaus individually. Freezing your credit can protect your identity, but you’ll need to thaw or end the freeze in order to get a loan, fill out credit card applications, receive apartment approval, and more.

If you aren’t sure how to unfreeze or thaw your credit, we’ve broken the process down below.

How to unfreeze your credit

Each credit bureau has a different method for unfreezing credit, but each one has an online, phone, or mail-in option. You can also temporarily thaw your credit, which automatically reactivates the freeze after a given date.

Remember, keeping your credit frozen helps reduce the chance of identity theft. If you do permanently unfreeze it, set a reminder to reevaluate that choice every 30-45 days.

Experian

To unfreeze your credit online with Experian, head to the website or download the Experian app from your app store. You can also call or mail in a request.

Online

1. Log into your account
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Help Center
3. Go to Quick Actions
4. Look for Manage Security Freeze or Security Freeze
5. Toggle off the freeze or click the link to schedule a thaw

App

1. Log into your app
2. Click the three bars in the top right corner
3. Click Help Center
4. Go to Quick Actions
5. Look for Manage Security Freeze or Security Freeze
6. Toggle off the freeze or click the link to schedule a thaw

Phone

Call 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

Mail

Experian Security Freeze

P.O. Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

You must provide the following documents to prove your identity:

• Full name, Social Security number, and date of birth
• Government-issued identification card, like a driver's license or passport
• Complete addresses for the past two years
• Copy of a utility bill or bank statement

TransUnion

Your TransUnion options to unfreeze your credit include online, phone, and mail-in options to unfreeze your credit.

Online

1. Log into your TransUnion Service Center account on the website
2. Select Temporarily Lift Freeze
3. Enter the dates you want the thaw to start and end
4. OR remove the freeze completely

Phone

Call TransUnion at 800-916-8800

Mail

TransUnion

P.O. Box 160

Woodlyn, PA 19094

You must include the following information to prove your identity:

• Name
• Address
• Social Security number

Equifax

Equifax also provides options for online, phone, or mail-in requests to unfreeze your credit.

Online

1. Log into your myEquifax account on the website
2. Unfreeze your credit for a set date
3. OR permanently unfreeze your credit

Phone

Call the automated line at 800-349-9960 or customer care at 888-298-0045

Mail

Equifax Information Services LLC

P.O. Box 105788

Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

You must download the Equifax form, fill it out completely, and send it in with your request as well as the identification documents noted on the form.

	Website	Phone	Mail
Experian	Online Freeze Center	888-397-3742	Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion	Online Freeze Center	888-916-8800	TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094
Equifax	Online Freeze Center	888-298-0045	Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

How long will it take my credit to unfreeze?

According to the U.S. government, agencies are required to lift a credit freeze within one hour, if you contact them online or by phone, and within three days of receiving a mail-in request.

If you’re in a hurry to unfreeze your credit, the quickest way is most likely online. You’ll have to log into your accounts at each of the three bureaus, but then you can manage your credit from anywhere you have internet access.

Phone requests are also fast, but you may end up waiting on hold.

Why would I need to unfreeze my credit?

Unfreezing your credit allows you to apply for loans, credit cards, an apartment, or anything else that requires a credit inquiry. It also allows new agencies to check your credit.

With a little pre-planning, you can keep your credit frozen while also having an action plan for when you need to thaw it.

Is credit monitoring worth it?

Yes, credit monitoring and identity theft protection can help you catch an incident before it gets out of hand. You’ll also be protected by insurance and a dedicated restoration specialist who will help you restore your good name if you’re a victim of identity theft.

You can sign up for credit monitoring alone or couple it with the protective features of identity theft protection. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy:

• Identity theft insurance
• Credit monitoring
• Credit alerts
• Social Security number monitoring
• Social Security number alerts
• Stolen funds reimbursement
• Lost wallet assistance
• Dark web monitoring
• Fraud alerts
• Underage minor credit monitoring
• Financial account monitoring

If you’re new to identity theft protection and credit monitoring or you want more information about services, check out our recommendations.

FAQs

Bottom line

To unfreeze your credit, you must log into your accounts with each of the three major reporting bureaus. From there, you can schedule a temporary thaw for a specific time frame or unfreeze it permanently.

Freezing your credit helps reduce your chance of identity theft. To improve your security further and get useful tools and alerts, consider signing up for one of the best credit monitoring services.