Does TransUnion Charge for Credit Freeze?

Yes, a TransUnion credit freeze is free for any consumer under the federal FCRA provision that took effect in September 2018, which obligates TransUnion, like the other bureaus, to place, lift or remove a freeze at no charge regardless of age or residency; a Texas homeowner, a New York student, or a Florida retiree all pay $0 to start the freeze, and the same zero‑cost rule covers minors and identity‑theft victims. Charges only arise for optional extras such as a PIN‑reminder mailing, an expedited processing request, or a temporary lift treated as a separate transaction, and while a few states still list a nominal administrative fee, the FTC mandates that fee be waived for the freeze itself (FTC on free credit freezes).

The next section details when TransUnion can legally impose a fee, and the step‑by‑step guide shows how to lock your report without paying a cent.

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• For any U.S. consumer, the TransUnion credit freeze, any temporary lift, and the removal are required by the 2018 Fair Credit Reporting Act amendment to be free; TransUnion may not charge a fee.
• State laws cannot override this federal rule; no state may impose a fee for a freeze, lift, or removal.
• TransUnion can charge only for services that are not part of the freeze process - such as providing a paid credit report, credit‑monitoring subscriptions, or other optional products.
• If you are not a U.S. consumer, foreign regulations may apply, but they are outside the scope of the U.S. free‑freeze law (CFPB explanation of the free credit freeze).

Free your TransUnion credit freeze in minutes by following these exact steps.

1. Gather personal data: Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and a government‑issued ID number (driver's license or passport).
2. Choose a method. The fastest is online at the TransUnion credit freeze portal. You can also call 1‑888‑909‑8872 or mail a written request.
3. Online: Sign in or create a MyTransUnion account, enter the information from step 1, and confirm the freeze. TransUnion will email you a PIN and confirmation number; keep them safe.
4. Phone: Provide the same details to the representative, verify your identity, and note the PIN and confirmation number they read back to you.
5. Mail: Write 'Request to Freeze Credit Report,' include your full name, address, SSN, DOB, and a copy of your ID. Send to: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016. Include a prepaid return envelope. TransUnion will reply with a PIN and confirmation number.
6. Verify completion. Log in, call, or check the mailed response for the confirmation number; the freeze is active within 24 hours (online) or 3 business days (mail).
7. Remember: Federal law (FCRA) makes the TransUnion credit freeze free for all consumers since 2018. A few states may charge a modest administrative fee for paper requests; the online and phone options remain fee‑free. Victims of identity theft or minors are also exempt from any charges.

Proceed to the next section to learn how to temporarily lift this freeze when you need new credit.

You can temporarily lift a TransUnion credit freeze in minutes online, by phone, or by mail, and the service remains free under the federal FCRA.

• Online: Visit the TransUnion credit freeze portal, log in with your PIN or password, select 'Temporarily lift,' choose start and end dates (up to 30 days), and confirm.
• Phone: Call 1‑800‑916‑8800, provide your PIN/password, state the desired lift period, and receive an immediate confirmation code.
• Mail: Write a signed request including your name, address, Social Security number, PIN, and lift dates, then send it to TransUnion Freeze Department, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016; processing may take 3‑5 business days.

After the specified window expires, the freeze automatically reinstates; you can also reactivate it early by repeating any of the three methods. This quick lift lets you apply for a loan or rent an apartment without compromising the underlying protection explained in the 'freeze your TransUnion report step‑by‑step' section, and it sets the stage for the upcoming comparison of credit locks versus TransUnion freeze fees.

Credit locks are a paid subscription product; TransUnion typically charges a monthly or annual fee (often around $10 per month) for the lock service, and the charge applies whether or not you ever lift it. As noted earlier, a lock is not covered by the federal FCRA mandate, so the cost can vary by provider and may include extra fees for notifications or credit‑monitoring add‑ons.

TransUnion credit freeze, by contrast, is free for consumers under the 2018 FCRA amendment; you pay nothing to place, lift, or remove the freeze. Some states still allow a modest charge for a temporary lift or for processing a non‑consumer request, and victims or minors may qualify for additional waivers, as detailed in the state‑law section later. For the federal baseline, see Free credit freeze under federal law.

TransUnion credit freeze is free everywhere, thanks to the 2018 Fair Credit Reporting Act amendment that took effect in 2021. The amendment obligates all three major bureaus to offer a consumer‑initiated freeze at no charge, and it preempts any state law that tries to impose a fee. So whether you live in California, Texas, or Vermont, the state cannot legally require you to pay for a freeze.

Because the federal rule overrides state statutes, any fee you see on a TransUnion freeze request is likely a mistake or a fraud attempt. If a charge appears, treat it as an error and dispute it under the FTC's free‑freeze guidelines (FTC guide to credit freezes).

Identity‑theft victims can place a TransUnion credit freeze without paying a fee. Federal law under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) has required all consumer reporting agencies to offer free freezes to victims since 2018, and TransUnion follows that rule, though a few states add paperwork requirements. Provide a police report or an FTC Identity Theft Report, and the freeze activates at no charge; you may lift or lift‑temporarily for free as well.

• Federal FCRA: free freeze for any consumer who reports identity theft
• Required proof: police report, FTC Identity Theft Report, or a court order
• State variations: some states (e.g., California, New York) ask for additional documentation but do not impose fees
• Minor accounts: parents or guardians can request a free freeze for a child's TransUnion report when the child is a victim or to prevent future theft
• No‑fee temporary lift: request a lift for a specific lender or time period without cost
• Fee disputes: if TransUnion charges you, reference the 'dispute a TransUnion freeze fee fast' section for remediation steps

TransUnion does not charge for a child's TransUnion credit freeze; federal law (FCRA) has required all bureaus to provide the service at no cost since 2018.

You must submit the minor's Social Security number, proof of your relationship, and a signed request. Some states previously allowed fees, but they must now be waived; any charge is unlawful and can be disputed.

The same free‑freeze rule applies if the child is a victim of identity theft or if state law adds extra protections. For official guidance, see the FTC's credit‑freeze overview.

If you've been charged for a TransUnion credit freeze, dispute the fee immediately. Acting within 5 business days maximizes your chance of a quick reversal.

• Collect your freeze request confirmation, the fee statement, and a copy of your credit report showing the freeze; under the FCRA, a TransUnion credit freeze must be free for any consumer.
• Call TransUnion's freeze‑dispute line at 1‑800‑916‑8800 (or use the online dispute portal) and state that the charge violates 15 U.S.C. § 1681c‑1.
• Send a certified‑mail letter to TransUnion Consumer Relations, include copies of all proof, and reference the federal free‑freeze requirement.
• Demand an immediate fee reversal and written confirmation that the freeze remains active; ask that the correction be reflected on your credit report within 5 business days.
• If TransUnion does not resolve the issue, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and consider contacting your state attorney general for enforcement.

Yes, consumers have been charged for a TransUnion credit freeze even though the federal FCRA made the service free after July 2018. One Texas resident filed a freeze online, received confirmation, then saw a $5 processing fee on the credit‑card statement; the fee appeared because TransUnion's automated system mistakenly applied a legacy 'temporary lift' charge.