How to Freeze Your Credit on TransUnion (Online, Phone, and Mail)

Freezing your credit on TransUnion locks your file so lenders cannot open new accounts in your name. This guide shows you how to do it online, by phone, and by mail, and covers how to lift or remove the freeze when you need to apply for credit later.

What a TransUnion Credit Freeze Actually Blocks

Before you freeze, understand exactly what the freeze covers and what it does not.

A TransUnion credit freeze blocks:

• Any new account request that would add a tradeline to your credit file
• Hard inquiries from lenders, landlords, and creditors attempting to open a new account
• Debt collectors creating fresh collection accounts without your consent

A TransUnion credit freeze does not block:

• Existing accounts or recurring billing
• Soft pulls from credit monitoring services
• Your own access to your credit file
• Pre-approved offers already in progress

Why a TransUnion Credit Freeze Is Better Than a Credit Lock

A credit freeze and a credit lock both restrict access to your file, but they work very differently.

A TransUnion freeze is free, backed by federal law, and stays in place until you remove it. Every lender must verify the freeze before approving any new credit request. That legal authority makes it the strongest protection against identity fraud.

A credit lock is typically part of a paid subscription that works inside TransUnion’s own app. A provider can toggle it without your explicit request, and some lenders bypass it by checking the underlying file directly. That weaker barrier leaves your file at greater risk.

For baseline, cost-free protection, security experts consistently recommend the freeze over the lock.

TransUnion Credit Freeze Timeline and Costs

Federal law waives all fees. A handful of states allow a nominal $5 to $10 charge only when you lost your PIN and need to lift the freeze without it.

Information You Need Before You Start

Gather the following items before you begin the freeze process:

• Full legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card
• Nine-digit Social Security Number (SSN), the primary identifier for your credit file
• Date of birth to match your TransUnion record
• Current residential address and recent previous address if requested
• Government-issued ID number such as a driver’s license or state ID, plus the issuing state
• Personal PIN or password you will create during the process (save this — you need it to lift the freeze later)

How to Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Online (Under 5 Minutes)

The online method activates your freeze almost instantly.

1. Go to the TransUnion Service Center credit freeze portal.
2. Click Create Account or sign in if you already have one.
3. Enter your SSN, date of birth, and current address.
4. Verify your identity using two-factor authentication — usually a text code or email link.
5. Select Freeze My Credit and confirm.
6. Save the PIN and confirmation number the system generates. You will need them later to lift or remove the freeze.

Your freeze activates immediately after step 5. The system displays a confirmation screen once the freeze is active.

How to Freeze Your TransUnion Credit by Phone

Call 888-909-8872 to use the automated system. If the system cannot complete your verification, it will route you to a live agent.

Have your SSN, date of birth, full name, and current address ready before you call. The automated system processes most requests immediately. Agent-assisted calls take slightly longer but usually complete within one business day.

Write down the confirmation number at the end of the call.

How to Freeze Your TransUnion Credit by Mail

Use the mail method only when you cannot verify online or need to handle a protected consumer freeze for a minor.

Send a written request to:

TransUnion
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Include the following in your letter:

• Full legal name
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Current mailing address and any recent previous address
• Copy of a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) — do not send originals
• Proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement, or lease)

TransUnion processes mailed requests within three to five business days of receipt.

How to Freeze Credit for a Minor (Protected Consumer Freeze)

TransUnion allows a parent or guardian to place a freeze on a child’s file. If the child does not already have a credit file, TransUnion creates one and freezes it immediately.

The protected freeze stays in place until a guardian requests removal. In many states, a minor can request removal themselves starting at age 16.

Mail is typically required for a minor’s freeze. Include documentation proving your authority:

• Birth certificate or custody/guardianship documents
• Power of attorney if applicable
• Copies of the child’s identifying documents

How a TransUnion Freeze Affects Job, Rental, and Background Checks

A TransUnion freeze blocks only new credit account inquiries. It does not stop the soft pulls that most employers, landlords, and background-check companies use to verify payment history.

In most hiring and leasing scenarios, the freeze adds only a brief administrative step. The screening company may ask you to temporarily lift the freeze for one or two days, which you handle through the steps in the next section.

Only specialized checks that require a hard inquiry — such as certain security-clearance reviews — halt completely until you lift the freeze.

Tip: Ask the lender or employer which credit bureau they will check before applying. If they query only one bureau, you need to lift only that bureau’s freeze.

How to Temporarily Lift Your TransUnion Freeze

Temporarily lifting the freeze lets a specific lender or employer access your file without permanently removing your protection.

Online (recommended — immediate):

1. Log in to your TransUnion account at transunion.com.
2. Navigate to Freeze and Fraud Alerts.
3. Click Temporarily Lift Freeze.
4. Select a date range (for example, June 1 to June 7) or enter a specific creditor name.
5. Enter your eight-digit PIN to confirm.
6. Review the details and submit. TransUnion updates your status instantly.

The freeze reinstates automatically after the selected period or once the creditor completes their request.

By phone:

Call 1-800-680-7289. Provide your name, SSN, and PIN. State the exact dates or the specific creditor. The representative will apply the temporary lift and give you a confirmation code.

By mail:

Write a signed request that includes your full name, address, SSN, PIN, and the desired lift period or creditor name. Send it to:

TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

Mail requests take up to three business days.

How to Permanently Remove a TransUnion Freeze

Remove the freeze only when you no longer need the protection or plan ongoing credit activity.

Step 1: Locate your PIN or password from when you placed the freeze. If you lost it, request a new one through TransUnion’s verification portal before proceeding.

Step 2: Choose a removal method:

• Online: Log in, go to Freeze/Unfreeze, and select Remove Freeze. The update is instant.
• Phone: Call 1-800-680-7289, provide your name, SSN, and PIN. Tell the representative you want the freeze permanently removed, not just temporarily lifted. You receive confirmation by email or text.
• Mail: Send a signed letter with your full name, address, SSN, and PIN to TransUnion Security Freeze, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016. Clearly state that you want the freeze permanently removed. Processing takes five to seven business days.

Step 3: After the removal processes, check your credit file at AnnualCreditReport.com to confirm the freeze no longer appears. If the freeze still shows, contact TransUnion support with your case number.

5 TransUnion Credit Freeze Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing a Credit Lock With a Credit Freeze

A lock is a subscription service, not a legal freeze. It does not carry the same federal protection and some lenders can bypass it.

2. Assuming the Freeze Blocks All Credit Activity

The freeze stops only new credit inquiries and new account openings. Existing balances, collections, and fraud alerts remain visible on your file.

3. Losing Your PIN

You need your PIN to lift or remove the freeze. Store it in a password manager or secure document the moment TransUnion issues it.

4. Forgetting the Other Two Bureaus

A TransUnion freeze covers only TransUnion. Freeze Equifax and Experian separately for complete protection at all three major bureaus.

5. Not Updating Your Personal Information

Name or address changes that you do not report to TransUnion cause PIN mismatches. Update your file before you need to lift the freeze for an application.

What to Do After You Freeze Your Credit

A freeze is your strongest first line of defense, but pair it with these ongoing habits:

• Review credit reports regularly: Get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and check for accounts you do not recognize.
• Set fraud alerts: Fraud alerts prompt lenders to verify your identity before extending credit and add an extra layer on top of the freeze.
• Monitor bank and card statements: Watch for unauthorized charges on existing accounts, since the freeze does not cover those.
• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication on all financial accounts.
• File reports immediately if you become a victim: Use IdentityTheft.gov (FTC) and file a local law enforcement report. Keep copies of all case numbers and correspondence.

TransUnion Credit Freeze Contact Information

Related Finance How-To

• How to Build Your Credit From Scratch: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
• How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge (Step-by-Step Guide)
• Does 0% APR Affect Your Credit Score?