How Do I Unfreeze My Credit with Equifax?

Introduction

When you freeze your credit, you are adding a layer of security to prevent others from accessing your credit report. This can help prevent fraud or identity theft. However, if you are applying for credit. You will need to "thaw" it to allow access again. Here are the steps to do so.

Sign In to Your Account

Go to Equifax.com and sign into your account. Since you’ve frozen your credit, you should already have an account there. Look for the Log in button on the upper right and enter your username and password. You will be sent a one-time passcode for verification.

Verify Your Account

Enter the one-time passcode sent to your phone or email to verify.

myEquifax Dashboard

After logging in, you should arrive at your myEquifax dashboard. On the right side of the screen, you’ll see your Equifax Credit Report Status. It will show that your credit report is frozen. Click on the “Manage a freeze” link. Note: If you have an active duty or fraud alert in place, you can also view it here.

Freeze Status

This will take you to the Freeze page, with information about how security freezes work. You will need to select “Manage a Freeze” to continue.

Temporary or Permanent Freeze Lift

On the next page, you will be asked whether you want to temporarily or permanently lift a security freeze. Make your selection. A temporary freeze is a good way to handle things if you want to apply for a new credit card or loan. You can unfreeze your report for a period of time and then freeze it again after the credit check is done. A permanent freeze will allow access until you manually go in and change it again in the future.

Choosing a Temporary Lift of Your Credit Freeze

If you choose a temporary lift, enter the dates you want to allow access to your Equifax credit report and hit continue. Enter the dates to thaw your credit report and when you want to to be frozen again. Then hit continue. Review the information on the next screen. If it looks correct, hit submit and you are done.

Choosing a Permanent Lift of Your Credit Freeze

If you want to permanently remove the security freeze, select the permanent freeze button and then click the red “Remove Freeze” button.

Wrapping Up

Note: Removing a freeze only at Equifax does not change your status on Experian or TransUnion credit reporting agencies. If you want to change your freeze status there, you will need to follow a similar procedure at each website.

Conclusion

Be aware that once you unfreeze your credit report, it can be accessed by others for the purposes of extending credit. Also, removing a freeze only applies to your credit report at Equifax. If you want to remove a freeze at Experian or TransUnion, you will need to contact them directly.

When you are done, sign out of your account.