How Do I Freeze and Unfreeze My Credit on All Three Bureaus?

The below content will be converted to HTML following it's exact instructions:

• A credit freeze stops any new account from being opened at all three bureaus, so identity thieves can't slip through a single open door (FTC guide to credit freezes).
• Federal law requires freezes to be free; freezing only one bureau leaves the other two still exploitable at no extra cost.
• Data breaches often leak information tied to a specific bureau; locking every bureau makes the stolen data useless for new credit.
• Online or phone freezes take effect immediately, preventing fraud before it starts and avoiding costly remediation later.
• Existing credit, scores, and employment checks remain unchanged; you can lift the freeze temporarily whenever a legitimate lender requests access.

Freeze your Equifax credit now by using the online portal, calling the dedicated freeze line, or sending a written request.

1. Online - Visit the Equifax credit freeze page, sign in or create a free account, enter your SSN, birth date, and address, then confirm. The freeze activates instantly and you receive a PIN for future changes.
2. Phone - Call 1‑800‑685‑1111 (TTY 1‑855‑944‑2365). After identity verification, request the freeze and note the PIN the representative provides. The lock typically takes effect within minutes.
3. Mail - Write a letter that includes your full name, SSN, birth date, current address, and a copy of a government ID. Send it to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348. The freeze becomes active three to five business days after Equifax receives the request.
4. Save your PIN - Store the PIN securely (password manager recommended). You'll need it to lift or adjust the freeze later, as covered in the upcoming 'unfreeze all bureaus step‑by‑step' section.

As noted in 'why freeze all your credit bureaus,' locking Equifax stops most new creditors from accessing your report, complementing the next step: lock Experian report securely today.

Activate Experian's Credit Lock online to secure your report instantly. Visit the Experian Credit Lock portal, sign in with your existing Experian account or create one, and toggle the lock switch; the change takes effect within minutes at no cost. You can also call 1‑888‑397‑3742 or mail the required form, but the web method is fastest and provides an electronic confirmation you can save.

After locking, verify the status by checking the 'Lock Status' page in your account; it will show a green checkmark next to Credit Freeze. Keep the confirmation number handy for future unfreeze requests, and then move on to the next bureau by following the steps in 'Secure TransUnion Credit Instantly.'

You can lock your TransUnion credit in seconds by creating a free online freeze. The freeze activates instantly, stopping any new account inquiries until you lift it.

1. Collect your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and choose a personal PIN.
2. Go to the TransUnion credit freeze portal.
3. Enter your personal details, answer the identity questions, and submit the freeze request.
4. Note the confirmation number displayed; the freeze is effective immediately.
5. To lift the freeze, return to the same portal or call TransUnion and provide your PIN and confirmation number.

Check each bureau's freeze status online, by phone, or by mail to verify the credit freeze is active. Online portals update instantly, so a quick login confirms the lock without delay; phone confirmation requires your PIN and may take a few minutes; mailed requests can take up to two weeks to receive written proof.

• Experian - log into the Experian Freeze Center (shows 'Credit Lock is On'), or call 1‑888‑397‑3742 with your PIN.
• Equifax - access the Equifax Freeze Portal (displays 'Freeze Active'), or dial 1‑800‑349‑9960 using your PIN.
• TransUnion - sign in at the TransUnion Freeze Center (status reads 'Freeze Enabled'), or call 1‑888‑909‑8872 with your PIN.
• Mail - send a written request to each bureau's freeze address (listed on their websites) and keep the certified‑mail receipt; they will reply with a written confirmation once processed.

Unfreeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion by using the same method you used to freeze - online, by phone, or by mail - then confirming the lift.

1. Locate the PIN, password, or 'freeze‑ID' you received when you set up each freeze.
2. Go to the bureau's thaw page:
   • Equifax - Equifax credit freeze portal
   • Experian - Experian credit lock center
   • TransUnion - TransUnion credit freeze page

   Enter your PIN/password and choose 'Lift Freeze.'

3. Select either a temporary lift (specify start and end dates) or a permanent lift, then submit. The change is usually immediate online.
4. If you prefer phone, call: Equifax 1‑800‑349‑9960, Experian 1‑888‑397‑3742, TransUnion 1‑800‑688‑5877. Provide your PIN and desired lift period; the freeze is lifted instantly in most cases.
5. For mail requests, write a letter with your name, address, Social Security number, PIN, and the desired lift dates; send it to each bureau's address listed on their website. Expect 3‑5 business days for processing.

Once the lifts are confirmed, you can move on to 'quick temporary thaw for lenders.'

A quick temporary thaw lets a lender view your credit while the freeze stays active for everyone else.

When a lender requests access, you can lift the freeze for that specific bureau:

• Log in to the bureau's website (Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian's 'credit lock') and select 'Temporarily lift freeze.'
• Enter the lender's name, the exact dates you need the thaw, and confirm with your PIN or password.
• Submit - the thaw activates instantly online, takes about 30 minutes by phone, and 1‑3 days if you mail the request.

The lift expires automatically at the end date you set, so your credit stays protected afterward.

Next, if you ever lose or forget the PIN needed for these steps, see the 'reset forgotten freeze pin fast' section for a streamlined recovery process.

The below content will be converted to HTML following it's exact instructions:

Reset your forgotten credit‑freeze PIN instantly by using each bureau's online portal.

• Go to the Equifax credit freeze portal, click 'Forgot PIN?', enter your SSN, date of birth, and answer security questions; the system emails a new PIN immediately.
• Visit the Experian credit lock reset page, select 'Forgot PIN', provide your personal details, and receive a temporary code via email or SMS to set a new PIN right away.
• Access the TransUnion freeze management site, choose 'Reset PIN', input your SSN and verification info, and the new PIN appears on screen after verification.
• If online reset fails, call the bureau's freeze line (Equifax 1‑800‑685‑1111, Experian 1‑888‑397‑3742, TransUnion 1‑800‑680‑7289); the agent confirms your identity and reads a new PIN over the phone.

You can freeze a minor's credit the same way you freeze an adult's, but only a parent or legal guardian may initiate it. A credit freeze blocks any new account from being opened in the child's name, and it's free at Equifax, Experian (via its 'credit lock'), and TransUnion. The freeze takes effect immediately once the bureau processes the request, and you can apply online, by phone, or through mailed forms.

For example, a parent of a 13‑year‑old who received a fraud alert can log into each bureau's portal, submit the child's Social Security number, and set a personal PIN. After the freeze, a thief cannot open a credit card or loan in the child's name.

If the teenager later needs a student loan, the parent can temporarily lift the freeze for a single inquiry using the same PIN, then re‑freeze it afterward. This protects the child's credit from the moment they receive a SSN, without needing any future action unless a thaw is required. Federal Trade Commission guide to minor credit freezes

A post‑theft credit freeze instantly blocks new credit inquiries after a theft, preventing fraudsters from opening accounts in your name while still letting you lift the freeze temporarily for legitimate lenders.

• Gather proof: FTC Identity Theft Report (report identity theft) and police report if available.
• Contact each bureau:
  • Equifax - online portal or 1‑800‑685‑1111, provide proof, request 'post‑theft freeze'.
  • Experian - use the Credit Lock app or call 1‑888‑397‑3742, note it's after theft.
  • TransUnion - online or 1‑800‑680‑7289, specify post‑theft status.
• Receive a PIN or password from each bureau; keep it secure.
• To allow a lender: request a temporary 'thaw' online or by phone, set the date range and specify the creditor.
• Document every request and confirmation; store them with your theft paperwork.

These steps build on the 'freeze your Equifax credit now' section and set up the 'unfreeze all bureaus step‑by‑step' guide that follows.