A credit freeze can be a pivotal step to protect yourself from identity theft.
When you have a freeze on your credit reports, lenders can’t view them in response to an application for new credit — and that helps prevent criminals from opening credit card or loan accounts in your name.
But as long as a freeze is in place, you can’t access new lines of credit either.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
(Note that you can still pull up your own credit reports when they’re frozen, and lenders can check your reports to manage accounts you already have with them. Additionally, certain other entities, such as employers who want to analyze a job candidate’s credit history or landlords who need to screen a potential tenant’s credit, may be able to access credit reports while a freeze is in place.)
If you’re preparing to shop for a loan or credit card, you can temporarily lift your credit freeze. Just as with placing a freeze, lifting it is free.
How to lift your credit freeze
If you need to lift your credit freeze, ask the lender or institution which credit report it checks. You may get away with removing the freeze at only one of the major credit-reporting companies rather than all three (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).
If you expect to apply with multiple lenders, however — say, because you’re shopping for the lowest rate on a mortgage or auto loan — you may have to lift the freeze with two or more of the companies.
If you have online accounts with the credit-reporting companies, you can use them to thaw your freeze; log in to your Experian account, Equifax and TransUnion.
Alternatively, you can call Experian at 888-397-3742, Equifax at 888-298-0045 and TransUnion at 800-916-8800. You may need to verify your identity by answering security questions.
In response to online and phone requests, the credit-reporting companies must lift a freeze within one hour (usually, it happens right away).
If you want a written record of your request to lift a freeze, you can send the request by snail mail — but it will take more time than the other methods. (You’ll find mailing addresses for each of the credit-reporting companies here.)
You may have to include identifying documents, such as a copy of your driver’s license, Social Security card or a bill that lists your address, says Rod Griffin, senior director of public education and advocacy at Experian.
A credit-reporting company must lift the freeze within three business days of receiving your request.
When you temporarily lift a credit freeze, you can specify how long your credit report will be available to new lenders for review before the freeze automatically goes back into place. You could set the lift for a single day if you know the date the lender will perform a credit check.
Otherwise, you may want to arrange for the lift to last a week or two to make sure lenders have adequate time to review your report.
During the window that you don’t have a freeze enacted, you’re more vulnerable to identity theft in the form of criminals opening new credit accounts in your name. So you should be extra vigilant in monitoring your credit reports for signs of fraud.
You can get free weekly online reports from all three credit-reporting companies through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related content
-
I’m burned out at work, but I dread retirement boredom and loneliness. Now what?We asked the experts what to do when you're stuck on the fence.
-
Fewer Agents, Fewer Audits: How IRS Staff Cuts Are Changing EnforcementSignificant reductions in the IRS workforce appear to be increasing the number of 'no change' audit closures. The shift could potentially increase the overall tax gap — the difference between taxes that should have been paid and those that were.
-
How Amazon Will Deliver Your Prime Day 2025 Orders — From Vans to DronesAmazon Prime Day returns July 8–11 with 96 hours of deals, and a wide range of high-tech and flexible delivery options to match the shopping surge.
-
Chase Increases Sapphire Reserve Annual Fee by 45%: Are the New Perks Worth It?Chase announced sweeping changes to its Sapphire Reserve card.
-
What to Know Before Flying With Your PetFrom documentation and TSA screening to carrier rules and airport relief areas, here’s what to know before taking your pet on a flight.
-
This Is How a Lot of Law School Students Are CheatingGrowing numbers of students are falsely claiming a learning disability to score more time to take tests. This has real-world consequences in which fellow students, law firms and their clients pay the price.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired International Finance Director, 68, AtlantaEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Student Loan Delinquencies Are Hurting Credit Scores — Even for Parents and GrandparentsMillions of borrowers are falling behind on student loan payments, triggering steep credit score drops. If you or your family carry student debt, here's what you need to know now.
-
Costco Offers Executive Members A New Shopping PerkCostco executive members can shop in store one hour earlier, starting on June 30.
-
Is Your Home Disaster-Ready? An Insurance Expert's Guide to Preparing for Storms and FiresHomeowners can take these steps to protect their properties from hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and hail, while also potentially reducing their insurance costs.
