How to Unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma

Unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma now by signing into your account, opening the TransUnion freeze card, typing the five‑digit PIN from TransUnion, and clicking the lift button.

The lift takes effect within minutes for most lenders, though some may need up to 24 hours; you'll need the correct PIN, which the next section 'what you need unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma' details. For extra guidance, see the Credit Karma help center.

You need a valid TransUnion PIN, an active Credit Karma login, and the contact information tied to that account. A recent freeze confirmation number and an internet‑connected device finish the checklist.

• TransUnion‑provided PIN (the 4‑digit code you received when you froze your file)
• Credit Karma username and password (the account must be verified)
• Email address or phone number on file with Credit Karma (used for verification codes)
• Freeze confirmation/reference number (appears in the 'Freeze' section of your Credit Karma dashboard)
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access to submit the lift request

Unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma by completing the web flow first, then the mobile‑app flow.

Web (desktop or mobile browser)

1. Go to Credit Karma and sign in.
2. Click the 'Credit Report' tab, find the TransUnion section, and select 'Unfreeze'.
3. Enter the TransUnion PIN you received when you froze the file, then tap 'Confirm'.
4. Choose 'Temporary lift' or 'Permanent lift' as needed and submit. The freeze lifts instantly; a green check confirms success.

App (iOS or Android)

1. Open the Credit Karma app and tap the menu icon, then 'Credit Reports'.
2. Tap the TransUnion card and hit 'Unfreeze'.
3. Type your PIN and press 'Next'.
4. Pick 'Temporary' or 'Permanent' lift, then confirm. The status updates within minutes.

If the PIN is rejected, review the 'What you need to unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma' section for PIN retrieval steps. For persistent errors, see 'Fix wrong PIN and verification errors on Credit Karma'.

Choose a temporary lift when you need TransUnion access for a limited period, and choose a permanent lift when you want the freeze removed entirely.

Temporary lifts let you specify a start date and a number of days (up to 30) after you enter your TransUnion PIN on Credit Karma. Credit Karma forwards the request, TransUnion activates the lift within minutes, and the credit file stays frozen before and after the window. Use this option for a mortgage application, a car loan, or any short‑term check; you can also set the lift to begin on a future date so the freeze stays in place until you need it.

Permanent lifts discard the freeze until you decide to re‑freeze the file. After supplying the correct PIN, Credit Karma sends a removal request to TransUnion, which processes it almost instantly. The credit file remains open for all future inquiries, and you will need to start a new freeze if you later want to restrict access again. For ongoing monitoring or frequent credit checks, a permanent lift saves you from repeatedly setting temporary periods.

(For detailed step‑by‑step instructions, see the previous 'step‑by‑step Credit Karma unfreeze' section and the upcoming 'when your TransUnion unfreeze goes into effect' part.)

After Credit Karma confirms the lift, TransUnion marks the file as unfrozen immediately; most lenders can pull your report right away, but a few may need up to 24‑48 hours for their systems to register the change. A temporary lift stays active until the expiration time you chose, then re‑freezes automatically, while a permanent lift remains open until you initiate another freeze. If you don't see the unfreeze reflected right away, proceed to the next section to verify the status and re‑check your credit report.

After you request a lift, confirm that TransUnion is unfrozen on Credit Karma and then pull your report to verify the change.

Log in to Credit Karma, open the 'Credit Freeze' hub, and check the TransUnion entry. The status should read 'Lifted' (or show an expiration date for a temporary lift). Once the status is confirmed, return to the main dashboard and view your TransUnion credit report; the freeze icon will be gone.

• Sign in to Credit Karma (web or app).
• Tap Credit Freeze → TransUnion.
• Verify the status line reads Lifted or displays the lift's end date.
• If the status shows Pending, wait up to 24 hours; the TransUnion backend processes lifts shortly after you submit the PIN.
• Return to the home screen and select View Credit Report.
• Open the TransUnion section; ensure the freeze badge is absent and all recent activity appears.

Now you know the lift worked; if you encounter a wrong PIN or verification error, see the next section on fixing PIN issues.

Enter the wrong PIN or hit a verification roadblock, and the unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma stops dead. Click the Forgot PIN? link on the 'Manage Freeze' screen; you'll be sent to TransUnion's secure portal where you confirm your SSN, date of birth, and current address. TransUnion then emails or texts a new PIN, which you paste back into Credit Karma to complete the lift.

If the portal still rejects your credentials, double‑check that the name, address, and birthdate in your Credit Karma profile exactly match the data TransUnion has on file; edit any discrepancies and retry. Persistent errors warrant a quick note to Credit Karma support or a call to TransUnion - see if Credit Karma can't unfreeze TransUnion for you for the next steps.

Credit Karma's portal may fail to unfreeze TransUnion if the PIN is wrong, the request isn't reaching TransUnion's backend, or your account data is out‑of‑sync. First, double‑check the PIN you received from TransUnion; a typo is the most common blocker. Next, clear your browser cache or use the Credit Karma app on a fresh device - to rule out a stale session. If those steps don't work, contact Credit Karma support with the exact error message; they can verify that the lift request was transmitted.

Should Credit Karma still be unable to process the lift, you'll need to work directly with TransUnion.

• Verify the PIN matches the one on your TransUnion freeze confirmation
• Retry the lift on a different browser or the mobile app after clearing cache
• Reach out to Credit Karma help via the in‑app chat or support email, quoting the error code
• If no resolution, call TransUnion's freeze line at 1‑866‑852‑6034 or visit the TransUnion support center to lift the freeze manually

If Credit Karma returns an error while you try to unfreeze TransUnion, call TransUnion directly. A representative can verify your PIN and manually apply the lift.

1. Locate your TransUnion PIN, Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and the exact error message shown on Credit Karma.
2. Dial TransUnion's consumer hotline at 1‑800‑916‑8800 (see the TransUnion customer support page).
3. Tell the agent you are attempting to unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma and describe the error.
4. Provide your PIN; if you cannot recall it, request a new PIN or ask the agent to reset it on the spot.
5. Specify whether you need a temporary or permanent lift and ask the agent to apply it to your account.
6. Record the confirmation number and ask how long the lift will take to appear on Credit Karma (usually immediate, may take a few hours).
7. Return to Credit Karma, refresh the credit report, and verify that the unfreeze is effective; if not, repeat the verification step from the previous section.

Executor or administrator should file a fraud alert with one credit bureau within 24 hours of the death; the alert forces lenders to verify identity before opening new accounts. Follow by placing a credit freeze on the deceased Equifax credit report - this blocks any inquiry until the freeze is lifted with a court‑ordered PIN, effectively stopping thieves from exploiting the estate's credit.

Next, keep the deceased Equifax credit report on a secure, offline drive and review it monthly for unfamiliar entries. Promptly close or dispute any open accounts using the dispute steps outlined earlier. Enlist a reputable identity theft monitoring service that scans all three bureaus for the deceased's SSN, and store all legal documents (death certificate, letters testamentary) in a locked file to prevent misuse. Continuous vigilance and immediate freezes protect the estate from post‑death identity theft.

Unfreeze TransUnion on Credit Karma for a minor, a joint account, or a deceased estate only when the legally‑authorized person supplies the correct PIN and any required documentation. Credit Karma itself does not control the freeze; it forwards the request to TransUnion, which validates the request against the file's ownership rules.

A parent cannot lift a freeze for a child who has no credit file; the child must first open a file and the parent can then unfreeze as the primary account holder. For a joint account, whichever co‑owner placed the freeze must enter their PIN; the other spouse can lift only after the primary provides the PIN or a signed authorization.

When the filer is deceased, the executor or personal representative must submit death‑certificate proof and a court‑appointed letters‑of‑appointment along with the PIN to TransUnion; Credit Karma will relay those documents but will not complete the lift without them. These special cases follow the same verification timeline discussed in the 'verify TransUnion unfreeze and recheck your credit report' section.