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A security freeze is a good way to protect your identity.[1] Security freezes prevent new lenders from seeing or adding information to your credit report. This stops identity thieves in their tracks because they cannot open new accounts in your name if the lender cannot access your credit report.[2] However, it also prevents you from opening new accounts. Luckily, you can temporarily lift your credit freeze so that it's only open when you plan to apply for a new line of credit. This article will tell you how to temporarily lift your security freeze with Experian. If your planning to apply for a new line of credit, and the lender your applying with uses Experian to check your credit, then this article is for you.
Steps
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1Navigate to the Experian Security Freeze Center. This is where you can manage or add a security freeze with Experian.[3]
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2Scroll down and click on "Remove or lift a security freeze".Advertisement
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3Type your information into the appropriate boxes. Experian needs this information in order to locate your credit report.
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4Enter your email address into the email address boxes. This will allow you to get faster delivery of the receipt. If you do not enter your email address, then your receipt will be sent by mail.
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5Verify that you have lived at your current address for more than 2 years. If you have not, then select "No" next to "Have you lived at your current address longer than two years?” and enter your previous address or addresses.
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6Provide your PIN. If you know your PIN, then select yes next to "Do you remember your personal identification number (PIN)?", and type it in. If you do not remember you PIN, then leave it at no, and you will have to recover it with the Request your PIN tool.
- Your PIN number should be in the letter or email that your received when you first requested a security freeze.
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7Leave "Temporary" selected next to "Do you want to remove your freeze temporarily or permanently?". However, if you plan on permanently lifting the security freeze, then select, "Permanent", and skip the next step.
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8Select the dates when you want your security freeze lifted. A calendar will pop up that you can use to select the dates. Provide the date that you want the security freeze to be removed, and then the date that you want it to be put back into place.
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9Check the box next to the terms and conditions agreement. You have to check this box in order to submit the removal request.
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10Click Submit. This will submit your request to Experian.
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11Verify that the Security Freeze was removed. You should be taken to a page that says that your security freeze was removed. If you encounter any errors, then check to make sure that you entered all of your data in correctly.Advertisement
Warnings
- You should not have to pay to lift a credit freeze.[7] If someone asks you to pay to lift a freeze, you are being scammed.Thanks!
- It can take up to one hour for a security freeze to be removed.[8]Thanks!
- Do not remove a security freeze for somebody else. This is illegal, and it could land you in jail for identity theft. If someone needs your help removing their security freeze, make sure they are with you before you do so.Thanks!
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Thanks!
References
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs#what
- ↑ https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/09/credit-freezes-are-free-let-the-ice-age-begin/
- ↑ https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-temporarily-lift-a-security-freeze/
- ↑ https://clark.com/credit/talk-to-real-person-experian-transunion-equifax/#:~:text=Experian%2520phone%2520number:%2520Experian%25E2%2580%2599s%2520official%2520customer%2520service%2520number,call%2520the%2520business%2520or%2520client%2520line.%2520Press%25202.
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0279-extended-fraud-alerts-and-credit-freezes
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/free-credit-freezes-are-here
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs#lift
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/free-credit-freezes-are-here
