How to Unfreeze Equifax Credit Freeze

You can lift your Equifax freeze online in just minutes by using the Equifax Freeze Center. Log in with your existing account, enter your PIN, and confirm the lift.

1. Go to the Equifax Freeze Center.
2. Sign in with your username and password; if you haven't created an online profile yet, set one up now (see the 'use your Equifax PIN or online account to unfreeze' section).
3. Enter the 4‑digit PIN you received when you placed the freeze.
4. Click 'Lift Freeze,' then select either 'Temporarily' (specify start and end dates) or 'Permanently.'
5. Review the summary, then press 'Submit.' The system processes the request immediately and shows a confirmation screen.
6. Save the confirmation number; you can verify the change in your dashboard or in the following 'confirm your Equifax unfreeze worked' section.

Use your PIN or online account to unfreeze your Equifax credit freeze  -  log in at the Equifax credit freeze portal, navigate to 'Manage Freeze,' enter the PIN you received when you placed the freeze, select 'Lift Freeze,' and confirm. If you prefer, you can also click 'Sign‑in with PIN' on the portal's homepage and follow the same steps without a password.

After you submit, the lift your Equifax freeze request typically processes in minutes, which you'll verify in the 'Freeze Status' screen; later sections explain phone scripts and expected wait times if you encounter delays or need a temporary lift for a lender.

Pick up the phone, dial 1‑800‑685‑1111, and use the following script to lift your Equifax freeze.

• 'Hello, I'd like to unfreeze my Equifax credit freeze.'
• 'My name is [Full Name], Social Security number [XXX‑XX‑XXXX], and my birth date is [MM/DD/YYYY].'
• 'My PIN is [####].' (If you don't have a PIN, see the next section on obtaining one.)
• 'Please lift the freeze for [permanent/temporary] and confirm the effective date.'
• 'Can you provide a reference number for this request?'
• 'Thank you. I'll follow up to verify the unfreeze is active.'

The representative will confirm the request, note the reference number, and tell you when the lift takes effect - usually within minutes, though official processing may extend to 24 hours as explained later.

Having the script handy speeds the call and reduces the chance of miscommunication, letting you move on to gathering the documents required for the next steps.

You need a government‑issued photo ID, your Social Security number, your birthdate, your current address, and the PIN you received when you placed the freeze.

• Valid driver's license, state ID, or passport
• Social Security number (full, not just last four)
• Date of birth exactly as on your Equifax account
• Current residential address (utility bill or bank statement can verify)
• The PIN or password created during the original freeze setup

To let a mortgage lender or prospective employer pull your report, lift your Equifax freeze temporarily by logging into your Equifax online account (you set up the account and PIN in the earlier 'use your Equifax PIN' step), selecting 'Temporary lift,' entering the PIN, naming the creditor or employer, and specifying the start date and duration - most users see the lift confirmed within minutes, and a printable confirmation can be forwarded to the requesting party;

if you prefer phone, call 1‑800‑677‑2229, provide your PIN, state the lender or employer name and exact dates, and the representative will activate the temporary unfreeze on the spot, after which you can verify the status as described in the next section on expected wait times.

When you submit a request to lift your Equifax freeze, the processing time depends on the channel you used. Expect the following wait windows:

• Online (using your PIN or Equifax account): usually processed within minutes, but allow up to 30 minutes for system synchronization.
• Phone (providing your PIN and following the script): often effective within an hour, though peak periods can extend it to 24 hours.
• Mail (sending a signed request and PIN): takes 3‑5 business days after Equifax receives the letter, plus standard mailing time.

These timelines follow the methods described earlier and set the stage for confirming the unfreeze worked in the next section.

Check the online dashboard immediately after you lift your Equifax freeze; the status line should read 'Unfrozen' and you'll receive a confirmation email that lists the date and time the unfreeze took effect.

Next, run a soft credit check or request your free credit report; the report will now display recent activity and will not show the 'freeze' warning, confirming the unfreeze is active for lenders.

If the dashboard still shows a freeze or the report remains inaccessible, re‑enter your PIN or call Equifax support - this ties directly into the troubleshooting steps covered in the next section.

When an Equifax unfreeze fails, the fix is usually a single tweak. Most errors stem from a wrong PIN, mismatched personal data, or trying to lift a freeze that's already active.

If you hit an error, try these quick fixes in the order you encountered them:

• Double‑check the PIN you received with your freeze notice; a transposed digit is the most common cause.
• Verify that your name, address, and Social Security number exactly match what Equifax has on file - even a missing middle initial can block the request.
• Ensure the freeze isn't already lifted; the online portal will show a 'No active freeze' status, which triggers an unnecessary error message.
• If you're using the phone script from the previous section, confirm you're quoting the correct PIN and the exact 'freeze reference number' from your notice.
• During system maintenance (usually announced on Equifax's website), wait a few minutes and retry - the error will resolve once services are back online.

If none of these steps work, the problem likely requires manual review. Refer to the 'escalate when Equifax won't lift your freeze' section for filing a complaint and obtaining a confirmation code.

If you lost your Equifax PIN after identity theft, you can still lift your Equifax freeze by contacting Equifax and proving your identity with alternative documents. Call the Equifax freeze line (1‑800‑xxx‑xxxx), explain the situation, and provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and a copy of a government‑issued ID plus a recent utility bill or bank statement. Request a temporary lift or a full unfreeze; the representative will process it once verification is complete, often within minutes.

*Example:* Jane discovered a fraud alert on her file and couldn't find her PIN. She called Equifax, read her SSN and DOB, emailed a scanned driver's license and a July utility bill, and asked to temporarily lift the freeze for a mortgage lender. The agent confirmed the documents, lifted the freeze that same day, and emailed a confirmation code.

*Another scenario:* Mark filed an identity‑theft report with the FTC, received a police report, and attached both PDFs during the phone call. Equifax accepted the reports as proof, removed the freeze, and sent a written notice within 24 hours.

To lift your Equifax freeze for a minor you manage, submit a request using the child's own PIN, not your personal account PIN.

Online: Go to the Equifax credit‑freeze portal, choose 'Unfreeze a minor's file,' then enter the child's full name, Social Security number, birthdate, and the PIN that was created when the freeze was placed (or a new PIN obtained from Equifax). Confirm the details and the freeze lifts typically in minutes, just as the standard online unfreeze works for adult files.

Phone or mail: Call Equifax at 1‑800‑685‑1111 and provide the same child‑specific information and PIN, or send a signed letter with those details to the address listed on the website. Processing follows the same verification steps but may align with the wait‑time expectations discussed later in the article.

If Equifax refuses to lift your freeze, call the consumer support line, request to speak with a supervisor, and record the representative's name, badge number, and reference ID; then send a written request with your PIN to the address on the confirmation notice, marking it 'URGENT - UNFREEZE REQUIRED'.

Should the supervisor still deny the request, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB online complaint portal) and copy your state attorney general's consumer protection division; keep copies of every email, fax, and phone log, as these records become the backbone of any further escalation or potential legal action.