Why Did TransUnion Block Me?

TransUnion blocks appear as a 'Credit Freeze' or 'Fraud Alert' flag on your credit file; you can verify the flag yourself before moving on to the five common reasons later.

1. Log into your TransUnion online portal. The dashboard shows a banner that reads 'Your file is currently blocked' if a freeze or fraud block is active.
2. Download your most recent free credit report from TransUnion. Look for a line near the top that says 'File Status: Blocked' or 'File Status: Freeze.'
3. Call TransUnion's consumer line at 1‑800‑888‑2000. Ask the representative, 'Can you confirm whether my credit file is currently blocked?' Write down the confirmation code they provide.
4. Request a written 'Block Confirmation' letter via the portal or by mail. The letter lists the block type, start date, and SSN ending digits.
5. If none of the above show a block, assume your file is clear; you can now explore why blocks happen in the next section.

TransUnion blocks a consumer's credit file for a handful of predictable reasons.

• Fraud alert or suspected identity theft - multiple suspicious inquiries, mismatched personal data, or a recent theft report trigger an automatic block to protect the SSN.
• Security freeze requested by the consumer - the individual files a freeze under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which tells TransUnion to stop all data releases until the freeze is lifted.
• Mixed‑file or incorrect SSN issue - when the credit file contains another person's information, TransUnion may block access while it investigates the duplicate or wrong SSN.
• Legal or court‑ordered hold - a subpoena, bankruptcy filing, or other court directive can require TransUnion to restrict the file temporarily.
• Unresolved dispute on major account - if a lender disputes a large balance or charge‑off and the information cannot be verified, TransUnion may place a block until the dispute is resolved.

These reasons set the stage for the next section on how to lift a fraud block after identity theft.

If you've been a victim of identity theft, you can place a fraud alert - sometimes called a fraud block - on your TransUnion credit file.

How to add a fraud alert after identity theft

• Call TransUnion at 1‑800‑680‑7289 or visit the online portal; the request must include your SSN and a brief statement that your information was compromised.
• Upload (or fax) a police report, FTC Identity Theft Report, or a utility bill showing your current address as proof of identity.
• Choose a 90‑day fraud alert (default) or a year‑long alert if you expect ongoing risk.
• Within one business day, TransUnion tags your report with 'Fraud Alert' and notifies lenders to verify your identity before extending credit.

A fraud alert does not freeze your credit file; it merely adds a verification step. If you need to stop all new credit‑based inquiries, you must also place a security freeze, which you can do in the same call or online.

The alert appears on your next TransUnion report, giving you a short‑term shield while you investigate the theft and consider a freeze before moving to the next step of cleaning mixed files.

TransUnion removes a mixed‑file or wrong SSN by filing a dispute that explicitly asks to separate the erroneous records from your credit file. State that a block exists because the agency linked another person's activity to your SSN, and request that the mixed data be unlinked so the block can be lifted.

Include a clear copy of your driver's license, a recent utility bill, and a government‑issued SSN verification card; attach any records (e.g., a former lender's statement) that prove the disputed activity belongs to someone else. Submit everything through the TransUnion consumer dispute portal or by certified mail, labeling the envelope 'Credit File - Remove Mixed Files.'

Once TransUnion validates the evidence, it will split the files, correct the SSN association, and the credit block should be cleared.

Gather these documents before filing a TransUnion dispute:

• A government‑issued photo ID that shows your SSN (driver's license or passport).
• A recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement confirming your current address.
• Your latest TransUnion credit report that displays the block or error.
• Proof that the disputed entry is wrong, such as payment receipts, bank statements, or medical statements.
• A police report or FTC Identity Theft Report if the dispute involves fraud.
• Any prior letters or emails you sent to the creditor or TransUnion about the issue.

TransUnion blocks typically last either a fixed period set by the type of block or until you lift them, so you can gauge the timeline immediately after confirming a block exists in the prior section. A standard fraud‑alert block stops new credit inquiries for 30 days (extendable to 90 days if you've been a victim of identity theft), while a security‑freeze block remains active indefinitely until you request removal; you can lift it online or by phone at any time. When you dispute an item, TransUnion usually places a temporary block for up to 30 days while it investigates, after which the block lifts automatically if the dispute resolves.

Because each block type has its own duration, the impact on loan or job applications - covered in the next section - depends on whether the block is still in place when the lender or employer runs your pull.

A loan or job request can stop at the credit check screen if TransUnion shows a security freeze, fraud alert, or dispute notation on your credit file. Lenders and recruiters still read the underlying credit history, but a block does not automatically trigger a denial. Instead, the system flags the file; the lender may request that you authorize a temporary lift or provide supplemental ID before moving forward.

If the block causes a pause, lift it by calling TransUnion, verifying your SSN, and requesting a temporary removal. Then file a dispute for any inaccurate items; a Fair Credit Reporting Act investigation takes up to 30 days. While the dispute is underway, the lender can grant you a credit line or hire you on a conditional basis, pending the updated file. TransUnion's freeze removal process explains how to schedule a lift and keep the file open for application purposes.

You can reach TransUnion by phone, online portal, or certified mail, and each channel needs a focused script that proves you own the credit file and explains why the block should be lifted.

1. Phone - 1‑800‑916‑8800 (Mon‑Fri, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET)
   • Identify yourself: 'My name is [First Last], my SSN is [XXX‑XX‑XXXX].'
   • State the purpose: 'I have a credit block on my file that I need removed because…'
   • Cite supporting docs: 'I have a copy of my ID and a utility bill ready to fax.'
   • Request confirmation: 'Can you give me a reference number and an expected resolution date?'
2. Online portal - TransUnion Contact Center
   • Log in to your myTransUnion account or create one using your SSN.
   • Choose 'Credit File Issue → Blocked File.'
   • Fill the short form:
     • Name:* [First Last]
     • SSN:* [XXX‑XX‑XXXX]
     • Issue:* 'Block on credit file after identity‑theft alert.'
   • Attach scanned ID and the notice that triggered the block.
   • Submit and note the ticket ID displayed on the confirmation screen.
3. Certified mail - TransUnion Consumer Relations, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
   • Write a one‑page letter with these headings:
     • Your full name
     • Your SSN
     • Date of birth
     • Brief description*: 'I discovered a credit block on my file on [date]; it appears to be linked to a fraud alert.'
     • Requested action*: 'Please remove the block and send written confirmation.'
   • Enclose copies of a government‑issued ID and a recent utility bill.
   • Keep the mailing receipt and tracking number for follow‑up.
4. What to say in every interaction
   • Open with name and SSN to verify ownership.
   • State the exact problem: 'My credit file is blocked.'
   • Reference any prior steps (e.g., fraud alert filed, identity‑theft report).
   • Provide the documents you've attached or are ready to send.
   • Ask for a timeline and a reference number.

Following one of these four contact methods with the script above will get the block reviewed faster and set up the next steps covered in 'documents to gather for a TransUnion dispute.'

Keep your TransUnion credit file from being blocked again by applying five simple safeguards.

• Confirm your SSN matches all personal records before any lender pulls your file; correct typos immediately.
• Enroll in TransUnion's fraud alerts and use a security freeze only when necessary, then lift it promptly.
• Monitor your credit report monthly; dispute unexpected inquiries or inaccurate items within 30 days.
• Secure your online TransUnion account with a dedicated email, strong password and two‑factor authentication.
• Store identity documents (driver's license, Social Security card) in a safe place and shred any paper that contains your SSN after use.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act you can request a free copy of your Equifax credit file, dispute any error, and demand a timely correction; if Equifax refuses or fails to provide the report, the law obliges you to take escalation steps.

Typical escalation begins with a certified‑mail request that cites 15 U.S.C. § 1681g, includes a copy of a government ID and a utility bill, and asks for the full report within 30 days. If Equifax does not comply, send a second certified letter referencing the 'adverse‑action' provision of 15 U.S.C. § 1681i and demanding a written explanation.

Next, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and copy your state attorney general's consumer protection division. Keep all correspondence, postage receipts, and response deadlines; they form the evidentiary record should you need to pursue a statutory damages claim or request enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.

If TransUnion has blocked your credit file because it thinks you are deceased or a minor, you can remove the block by proving you are alive and of legal age.

A 'deceased or minor' block occurs when TransUnion matches your SSN to a death record or a Social Security Administration entry marked as a minor, then automatically flags the file to prevent credit activity. The system does this to protect against identity theft, but a single data error can wrongly lock a perfectly healthy credit file.

Typical scenarios include: a parent's death record mistakenly attached to a child's SSN, or a clerical typo that swaps the last digit of a senior's SSN with a younger relative's. In each case, gather the documents that prove the correct status - your birth certificate or passport, a recent utility bill with your name and address, and, if applicable, the death certificate of the person whose record was mixed.

Submit these via the TransUnion dispute process, clearly label the request 'Remove deceased/minor block,' and request that the SSN be re‑linked to the proper file. TransUnion typically replies within 30 days; if the block remains, follow up with a written 'Proof of Identity' letter and ask for a written confirmation that the error has been corrected.

Once the correct identity is confirmed, the block lifts, and your credit file becomes active again, allowing loans, jobs, or rentals to proceed without further interruption.