How to Check if My Credit Report Is Frozen

Check if Your Credit Report Is Frozen With Each Credit Bureau

You can check if your report is frozen at each of the major consumer credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—by contacting the bureau directly.

Checking your report's status from the bureau's website or mobile app may be the easiest option, especially if you already have online accounts from when you froze your reports.

Additionally, you can call the bureau and may be able to use the automated process or speak with a representative. Be prepared to share information to verify your identity, such as your Social Security number, date of birth and the numeric portion of your current address.

Here's an overview and links with more information for each of those options at the three credit bureaus:

You also might be able to check by mailing the bureau; the mailing addresses are shared below. But that process will take longer, cost more and may be more complicated.

Another option if you don't want to create an account or contact the bureau directly is to request free copies of your credit reports on AnnualCreditReport.com. However, the reports don't always say if they're frozen or not.

Learn more: How to Contact the Credit Bureaus

How to Lift a Freeze

Similar to checking if your report is frozen, you can lift a credit freeze online, using an app or by phone. You can also mail your request to the bureau.

When you want to lift a freeze, you can schedule a temporary thaw or remove the freeze from your report indefinitely:

• Thaw your credit temporarily: Schedule days when you want the credit bureau to unfreeze and then refreeze your credit report.
• Remove the credit freeze: Unfreeze the report from the date you choose and don't refreeze it.

Temporarily thawing your reports can be more convenient if you plan on applying for a new credit account on a specific day, or during a short period, and want to refreeze your reports afterward.

Removing the freeze might make more sense if you're unsure of when you're going to apply or if you're going through a long process, like closing on a home, and the lender may need to check your credit reports several times.

You will need to thaw or lift the freeze at all three credit bureaus separately. Here are the options for each:

Experian

You can thaw or unfreeze your Experian credit report using one of these methods:

• Online: Experian Freeze Center
• App: Mobile app
• Phone: 888-397-3742
• Mail: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

You can thaw or unfreeze your TransUnion credit report using one of these methods:

• Online: TransUnion Service Center
• App: Mobile app
• Phone: 800-916-8800
• Mail: TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Equifax

You can thaw or unfreeze your Equifax credit report using one of these methods:

• Online: Equifax Security Freeze Center
• App: Mobile app
• Phone: 888-298-0045
• Mail: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

Learn more: How to Unfreeze Your Credit Report at All 3 Credit Bureaus

How to Refreeze Your Credit Report

You can refreeze your credit report at each of the credit bureaus by going through a similar process with each bureau online, by phone or by mail.

Follow the instructions, which can vary depending on the bureau and method. For example, be prepared to log in to your online account using your username and password, or to verify your identity by answering security questions when you make a call.

If you mail your request, you may need to use specific forms and include copies of documents to verify your identity, such as copies of a government-issued ID and a recent bill or statement with your address.

Learn more: How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Credit Bureaus

Monitor Your Credit and Identity

Many people freeze their credit reports to help protect them from credit fraud, but monitoring your existing credit accounts is also important. You can get your FICO^® Score^Θ and credit report for free from Experian. Or, sign up for free credit monitoring, which includes real-time alerts when there are important changes in your credit report.