How to Remove a Credit Freeze

Placing a credit freeze on your credit report will prevent companies from accessing your credit report without your permission. This is helpful when it comes to fighting identity theft and other fraudulent matters. When you place a freeze on your account, the credit bureau issues you a secret pin code. By using this pin code, you can remove the credit freeze whenever you like. You have the option to remove the freeze for a set period of time or permanently. This can be done over the telephone, online or through the mail.

Instructions

Telephone

1

Contact the credit bureau that has a freeze on your credit report. The number for each credit bureau is listed below.

Experian: (888) 397-3742

Equifax: (800) 685-1111

TransUnion: (888) 909-8872

2

Provide the bureau representative with information to authenticate your identity, such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number and address.

3

Advise the credit bureau representative that you would like to lift the credit freeze from your account. State whether or not the freeze should be lifted temporarily or permanently. If temporarily, specify the amount of days you want the freeze lifted.

4

Provide the bureau representative with your secret pin or password required to removed the freeze. The representative will then process your request to lift the credit freeze.

Online

5

Visit the website for the credit bureau that has a freeze on your credit report.

6

Open the online request form to remove a freeze from your report. You will see a form to lift the freeze temporarily and another form to lift the freeze permanently.

7

Complete the request form by entering information, such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and secret pin.

8

Click "Submit" to submit your request to the credit bureau.

Mail

9

Mail a written request to Experian to remove your credit freeze. State whether or not the lift should be temporary or permanent. If temporary, specify the amount of days. You must include your name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, secret pin and two forms of government issued ID (one photo ID).

Experian

P.O. Box 9701

Allen, Texas 75013

10

Mail your written request, with the same information, to Equifax.

Equifax Security Freeze

P.O. Box 105788

Atlanta, Georgia 30348

11

Mail your written request, with the same information, to TransUnion.

TransUnion

P.O. Box 6790

Fullerton, California 92834