How can I remove a credit freeze from my credit reports?

You can remove a credit freeze from your credit reports for free by contacting each of the major credit bureaus you placed a credit freeze with. You can remove a credit freeze online and, in some cases, over the phone or by mail. You can also specify how long you want the freeze to be lifted, whether it’s permanent or temporary.

Each credit bureau will need to verify your identity before following through with the requested freeze removal. The steps below will guide you through the process.

How to Remove a Credit Freeze:

1. Contact each credit bureau: You can contact the credit bureaus online, by phone or by mail. The easiest way to request the removal of a credit freeze is to do so online – via the Experian, Equifax and TransUnion websites.
2. Provide your PIN or verify your identity: Experian and TransUnion assign a PIN when you place a credit freeze. You will need to confirm the PIN to remove the credit freeze from each bureau’s credit report. If you don’t have a PIN, you will be able to verify your identity using your full name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You may have to answer questions about the contents of your credit report, too. Equifax no longer uses a PIN for credit-freeze management. You just need to sign in to your Equifax account.
3. Wait for confirmation: All three credit bureaus are required to lift a credit freeze within one hour if the request is made online or over the phone. For a request made by mail, the bureaus must lift the freeze within three days of receiving the request.

It’s important to note that placing and removing credit freezes is now free, thanks to a law passed in 2018. For a more in-depth look at credit freezes, you can consult our credit freeze guide.