How to Unlock a Credit Freeze

Last Updated: May 25, 2021 References

Whether you were a victim of identity theft or just concerned about news of data breaches, you may have decided to place a security freeze on your credit reports. The freeze prevents anyone from accessing your report. However, sometimes this lack of access can be more of a curse than a blessing. If you need to grant someone access to your credit report, you can lift a freeze temporarily or request a PIN for a single lender. If you've decided you no longer need the freeze, you can also remove it entirely by contacting each of the 3 credit bureaus.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Lifting a Freeze Temporarily

1
Gather information to verify your identity. The credit bureau won't lift your freeze unless you can prove that it's you, and not a potential identity thief. Generally, you'll need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number, plus the PIN that was sent to you when you placed the freeze.^{[2]
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- The credit bureau may ask other verification questions related to information in your credit report.
- If you've already set up an account on the credit bureau's website, you may not have to do much else than log onto your account and provide your PIN.
2
Pick start and end dates for your temporary lift. When you apply to temporarily lift the security freeze, you must specify when you want the credit bureau to lift the freeze and when you want them to put it back. If you're lifting the freeze with all 3 credit bureaus, keep these dates the same for convenience.^{[3]
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- Make sure the period is long enough that you can accomplish what you need, but not so long that you're leaving your credit report vulnerable unnecessarily. For example, if you're shopping for a car, you might have the freeze lifted for just a weekend or as long as a week. However, if you're applying for a mortgage, you likely need a longer period.
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3
Submit your request to the applicable credit bureaus. If you want the freeze lifted with all 3 credit bureaus, you have to submit a separate request with each of them. Depending on your needs, you may not want to lift the freeze with all of them.^{[4]
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- If you know for a fact that, for example, no one is going to check your TransUnion credit report, it will save you time to simply leave that freeze in place.
- Most lenders make it known which credit bureau they use. They may have a logo on their website or on the door of a brick-and-mortar store.
4
Inform lenders of the dates of the temporary lift. If a lender tries to access your credit before the freeze has lifted, they'll simply get a notice that there is a freeze on your credit report and it cannot be accessed. Let them know the dates you've requested the temporary lift, so they can do their credit checks during that time.^{[5]
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- If you're going out and applying for credit in person, such as if you're car shopping, confirm that the lift is in effect before you submit any applications.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Lifting a Freeze for a Single Lender

1
Find out which credit bureau the lender will use. Lenders may pull a credit report from any of the 3 bureaus. If you have a freeze with all of them, knowing which one the lender will use can save you a little time.^{[6]
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- Explain to the lender that you have a freeze on your credit report and would like to provide them a single-use PIN. Ask them which credit bureau they use.
2
Have information ready to verify your identity. The credit bureau will need, at a minimum, your Social Security number and the PIN number you were issued when you placed the freeze on your credit.^{[7]
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- You may have to answer other questions to establish your identity before a single-use PIN will be sent to you.
3
Request a single-use PIN from the applicable credit bureau. You can request a single-use PIN online or over the phone. The credit bureau may allow you to create your own PIN, so it's something you can easily remember.^{[8]
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- If you submit your request online, you can provide your email address and receive your PIN more quickly. Otherwise, it will be mailed to you. Make your request far enough in advance that it doesn't delay your credit application.
4
Provide the PIN to the lender. Once you receive the single-use PIN from the credit bureau, it is your responsibility to give it to the lender who you want to have access to your credit report. The credit bureau won't do this for you.^{[9]
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- Make sure the lender knows that they can only access your credit report once. If they need to access it again for whatever reason, you'll have to request another PIN.
- You can only have one PIN active at a time. If you need PINs for more than one lender, you'll have to wait until one has completed their credit check before you can request another. If you anticipate credit checks from multiple lenders, it may be easier for you to simply lift the freeze for a few weeks.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing a Freeze Permanently

1
Verify your identity with the credit bureau. As with a temporary freeze, you must satisfy the credit bureau that you are who you say they are before they will permanently remove a security freeze on your credit. This normally involves providing your Social Security number along with the PIN you were issued when you placed the freeze.^{[10]
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- If you're requesting a freeze removal through the mail (rather than online or over the phone), you may have to send copies of your government-issued photo ID or other documents. Contact the credit bureaus beforehand to find out what information is required.^{[11]
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2
Confirm that you want to remove the freeze permanently. You may be filling out the same form to remove the freeze permanently as you would if you were only requesting a temporary lift. In that case, you'll have to note that this is a permanent removal.^{[12]
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- For permanent removals, don't include any dates for starting or stopping. The freeze will be removed as soon as possible upon receipt of your request.
3
Save your confirmation notice. If you request removal of your freeze online, the credit bureau may comply in as little as 15 minutes. It may take a little longer if you submit your request through the mail or over the phone.^{[13]
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- When the freeze has been removed, you'll receive a notice from the credit bureau. Save this for your records in case lenders have trouble accessing your report in the future.