Can My Credit Be Frozen Without My Knowledge?

It is possible for your credit to be frozen without your knowledge. A credit freeze stops creditors from accessing your credit report, which can prevent them from approving new loans in your name. Credit freezes do not expire, so to remove them, you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Most people place credit freezes if they suspect their personal information or identity was stolen since credit freezes help protect from fraud. If you discover that your credit has been frozen without your knowledge, there could be several reasons for this including a system error, mixed credit file or identity theft.

Keep reading to learn how to check if your credit is frozen, why your credit might be frozen and how to unfreeze it.

How to check if your credit is frozen

You can contact all three major credit bureaus regarding credit freezes. Here are the steps you can take to see if your credit is frozen for each credit bureau.

How to check if your credit is frozen with Experian

There are a few ways you can check if your credit report is frozen with Experian. After viewing your credit report, you will see a statement that will indicate if there is a credit freeze. Additionally, you can call Experian to check on the status of your report by dialing 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742).

How to check if your credit is frozen with TransUnion

To check the status of your credit report with TransUnion, visit the official website and create an account. After logging in to your TransUnion account, click on Credit Freeze. Here, you can see whether or not your account is frozen. TransUnion also has a Freeze Support Center, which has a variety of credit freeze FAQs and helpful explanations.

How to check if your credit is frozen with Equifax

Check the status of your credit freeze by visiting your myEquifax account. You could also call Equifax at (888) 298-0045, but be prepared to provide certain information to verify your identity.

Reasons why your credit might be frozen

There are several reasons why your credit might be frozen, even if you aren’t the person who placed the freeze.

Your parents placed a credit freeze when you were a child

If you’re a young adult applying for loans and you find out that your credit is frozen, your parents may have placed a child credit freeze. Sometimes parents choose to place a child credit freeze to protect their children from identity theft. Your best bet is to ask your parent if they placed a credit freeze when you were a child.

There was a system error

If you call any of the three major credit bureaus and find out that your credit has been frozen, this may be caused by an internal system error. Your credit could have been frozen purely by accident, so contact Experian, TransUnion or Equifax for more information about your specific credit report to determine if there was a system error.

There was a credit file mix-up

Credit file mix-ups happen when you share the same or similar information, such as your first and last name, with someone else. When people have similar information, that data can accidentally be merged in the credit bureau’s system. To fix this, you should submit a dispute immediately with the credit bureaus that have incorrect information on your credit report. In this instance, the credit bureau with the wrong information might place a credit freeze on your report if they realize that their database filed incorrect information under your credit report.

Your identity has been stolen

One of the most common reasons why your credit might be frozen without your knowledge is if you have become a victim of identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a cybercriminal takes a victim’s private information – like a Social Security number, birthdate or address – to impersonate them. The most common kind of identity theft is financial fraud, which happens when a cybercriminal steals credit card information and financial account information to make purchases or open loans. A cybercriminal who steals your identity can place a credit freeze while they pretend to be you to prevent you from starting any other lines of credit or loans.

How to unfreeze your credit

As mentioned before, you have to unfreeze your credit with each of the three major credit bureaus rather than only one. Here are the steps to doing so with each major credit bureau.

How to unfreeze your credit with Experian

Sign in to your Experian account, then go to the Help Center. In the series of quick actions, you can toggle your freeze status to Unfrozen.

How to unfreeze your credit with TransUnion

Visit the TransUnion’s Freeze Support Center or contact TransUnion at (800) 916-8800 to unfreeze your credit.

How to unfreeze your credit with Equifax

You can unfreeze your credit with Equifax by visiting your myEquifax account online or contacting Equifax directly at (888) 298-0045.

Protect yourself from identity theft

Since your credit can be frozen without your knowledge, it is important to check your credit report regularly. You can check your credit report for free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. By knowing how to check if your credit is frozen, you can be prepared to take the necessary steps to protect your finances and identity.