Unfreeze Equifax
For help with common Equifax Errors, see this page.
myEquifax account holders will breeze through this step-by-step guide on how to unfreeze their credit at Equifax.
Don’t have an account yet? Follow this link to create a myEquifax account at Equifax so you can freeze and unfreeze your credit quickly.
What to know before you Unfreeze Equifax
Why Unfreeze your Equifax Credit Report?
Why might you want to unfreeze your credit at Equifax? The biggest benefit is to apply for new accounts. If you need to apply for a loan, credit card, or other financial product, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit first. Unfrozen credit allows lenders and other companies to access your credit reports and approve or deny you for a new credit account.
The Primary Benefits of Unfrozen Credit
One of the primary uses of your credit is determining your eligibility for loans and lines of credit. Whether you’re looking to buy a home, a car, or start a business, lenders will look at your credit score to determine good candidates and what interest rate they should offer. The better your credit, the more likely you will be approved for a loan and get a lower interest rate. Unfrozen credit allows lenders and other companies to access your credit reports and approve or deny you for a new credit account.
Another way your credit is used is to determine your insurance rates. Many insurance companies use your credit as a factor when calculating your insurance premium. You may be eligible for lower insurance rates if you have a good credit score, which can help you save money on your insurance expenses.
Finally, your credit may also be checked by landlords and employers when making decisions about housing and employment. Good credit can make it easier for you to get approved for a rental property and make you a more attractive candidate for a new job.
How Long Does It Take to Unfreeze Credit with Equifax?
One of the biggest concerns for many people is the turnaround time – how long does it take Equifax to unfreeze credit files online, and how can you ensure that it’s done quickly and efficiently?
First, it’s important to understand that the turnaround time for thawing your credit online can vary depending on a few factors. These include the credit bureau you’re working with, the time of day or week you submit your request, and the method you use to unfreeze your credit (e.g., online, by phone, by mail). We assume you are using the online method described here at Snowcap.Me.
That said, how long it takes for thawing your credit online is typically 24 hours or less. For example, if you submit your request before 5 PM on a business day, you can expect your credit to be thawed by the next business day. However, how long Equifax takes to unfreeze may be longer if you submit your request on a weekend or holiday.
Here are a few tips to help you ensure a quick and efficient turnaround time when thawing your credit online:
- Use the online option whenever possible. Be sure not to use any public WiFi networks, such as an unsecured coffee shop WiFi or a public computer at a library that could be subject to hackers. Online requests are processed more quickly than requests submitted by phone or mail because they are automated. Phone and mail options usually require a human to intervene.
- Keep your contact information up-to-date. Make sure that your contact information with the credit bureau is up-to-date so that you will quickly know if there are any issues with your request. One of the most common Equifax unfreeze errors is because of address history issues.
- Unfreezing your credit online is a simple process that can help you access your credit report more quickly and easily. With these tips in mind, you can ensure a quick turnaround time and take control of your financial future. In addition, by only thawing your credit when you need it, you are applying for new credit accounts in the most secure way possible.
Unfreeze Equifax Credit Report Fees
Many people are concerned about credit unfreeze fees and want to understand what they can expect to pay when they unfreeze their credit. Years ago, credit bureaus charged a fee to freeze and unfreeze your credit. There were exceptions for victims of identity theft, but these exceptions varied depending on the credit bureau.
Because of a law passed by US Congress in 2018, freezing and thawing your credit is 100% free.
Step-by-Step Guide: Unfreeze Equifax
1. Log in to your Account
Equifax uses the “myEquifax” web app as its consumer account system to control credit freezes. The myEquifax logo looks slightly different than the other Equifax branding, which is expected. Equifax is a credit bureau, not a tech company like Google. Login to your myEquifax account here: https://my.equifax.com/membercenter/.
If you see a “We are temporarily unable to complete this request” screen like this one when signing in, Equifax’s system is down. You will not be able to complete your freeze request online or by phone. The only way to complete your freeze is to call Equifax at 888-298-0045 from 9am-5pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Equifax may have expanded hours for COVID-19 support. After the phone system fails to freeze your credit automatically, press 0 to be connected to a human agent who will confirm your information and process the freeze.
Equifax’s system can be down for many days at a time. If Equifax’s system uptime is unacceptable, we invite you to file a CFPB complaint, call your congressperson, or tweet at Equifax’s executives.
2. Manage a Freeze
After you sign in to your myEquifax account, you will see your account dashboard. On the upper-right side of the page, there is a “Manage a freeze” link. Click the link to continue.
3. Step-By-Step Flow
Clicking on the link brings you into a small step-by-step flow, where you first need to click “Manage a Freeze” to continue.
Next, select whether you want a temporary or permanent removal of the freeze from your Equifax credit report. A permanent removal will last forever with no expiration date, and a temporary removal will re-freeze on your chosen date. We select permanent for this example.
Before permanently thawing your credit, Equifax includes helpful information about what to expect. Click the red “Remove Freeze” button to continue.
4. Confirmation
That’s it! You just unfroze your credit at Equifax! No PIN was needed. Equifax does not provide a PDF or email confirmation for thawing your credit, so if you need documentation, it’s probably best to print the webpage or save it as a PDF. It will take as little as a few minutes to a few hours before you can apply for a new credit card or other new accounts.
What to do with Unfrozen Credit
Use it! Unfrozen credit means you can apply for new credit cards, get approved for a mortgage, or apply for other credit products. If you found Snowcap.Me helpful or want to support our mission, shop our latest offers by clicking the button below.
Important note: With your myEquifax account, how to unfreeze your credit at Equifax is pretty straightforward. However, thawing your credit only at Equifax may cause a new credit application to fail if your Experian or TransUnion credit files are still frozen. If you haven’t already done so, unfreeze your credit at Experian and TransUnion to be sure a company can check your creditworthiness.
After you use your thawed credit, be sure to re-freeze your files, so you are once again protected against major identity theft. You can use our freeze guides to re-freeze your credit.
Unfreeze Equifax Credit Report and Identity Theft: What You Need to Know
When your credit is thawed, you are at higher risk of identity theft. Because your block no longer exists, someone can use your thawed credit to commit fraud by opening a new credit account in your name.
While it’s true that thawing your credit makes it easier for someone to access your credit report, it’s essential to understand that credit freezes and thaws are not the only factors that can impact your identity theft risk. There are many other ways that fraudsters can obtain your personal information, including data breaches, phishing scams, and even stealing your mail or trash.
Tips to Minimize Risk
- Monitor your credit report regularly. You’re entitled to at least one annual free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Check these reports and look for any suspicious activity, such as new accounts you don’t recognize.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Use a unique and strong password for each financial account, and enable multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security. Crypto companies do this as standard practice, while traditional finance companies are still catching up.
- Be vigilant about phishing and social engineering scams. Fraudsters often try to trick you into revealing your personal information by posing as a legitimate company or organization. Be wary of emails, text messages, or phone calls asking for your sensitive information, and always verify the sender’s identity before responding.
- Protect your personal information. Please keep your personal information secure by not carrying your social security card with you, shredding or burning sensitive documents before you throw them away, and being careful about the information you share online.
Remember, taking steps to protect your identity is essential regardless of whether or not your credit is frozen. By being proactive and vigilant, you can minimize your identity theft risk and enjoy the benefits of applying for new credit accounts.