The credit bureaus must lift your freeze within three days. You will also get instructions on how to lift the freeze by using your PIN. After you contact the credit bureaus asking for the freeze, each credit bureau will send you a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Or you can lift it for a specific creditor. If you want to open a new credit account or get a new loan, you can lift the freeze on your credit file. Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen? And if you are someone’s guardian, conservator or have a valid power of attorney, you can get a free freeze for that person, too.
You also can get a free freeze for your children who are under 16. Starting September 21, 2018, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit file for free. Note: If these links do not work, search "security freeze" on the credit bureau web sites. Here are the freeze web pages for the credit bureaus. See the sample letters at the end of this sheet for addresses and what information to include. To place a freeze, you must contact each of the three credit bureaus. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number would probably not be able to get credit in your name. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first checking a consumer's credit history. A security freeze can help prevent identity theft.
A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors. If you live in California, you have the right to put a "security freeze" on your credit file.