topic Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze in General Credit Topics

Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 19:18:33 GMT

I could have sworn I saw a topic about this recently, but either I'm delusional or I'm searching the wrong terms.

Anyway, I froze my Equifax file online through myEquifax. I have tried to remove the freeze. If I do it on a mobile browser, it follows through the whole removal process, but the freeze doesn't get removed (regardless of browser). If I do it on a PC, it doesn't even go to the screen to start the removal process (clicking "manage freeze" just refreshes my home page).

I have previously frozen and unfrozen and refrozen my file online several times. It's just this time that it won't unfreeze.

I was on hold as long as I could be yesterday waiting on the phone. I'll call back but was wondering if anyone had a similar issue and was able to resolve it?

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

Boss2Boss — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 23:16:27 GMT

You are correct there is a post on 1-4-2020 by Saeren. I used the search bar and it came back Equifax Freeze Warning.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 23:43:05 GMT

Thank you! That was the thread I was thinking of. I was missing the “warning” in my search so despite including “freeze” I was getting a lot of other Equifax topics.

Sadly-not the same issue as that was more about them discontinuing PINs (worthy of a warning), vs the site just not working right.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 00:02:32 GMT

There hasn't been a recent Equifax one that I can think of. There was a TransUnion one since they consistently seem to have website issues.

Have you tried to actually pull your credit report to see if it's truly frozen? I know it sucks to burn an inquiry but you don't actually have to. If it's frozen, you can't get a prequal. Try the HSBC prequal tool. They SP EQ for the prequal and will actually tell you that you're frozen.

https://apply.us.hsbc.com/apps/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=ccoprequal&promoid=RVM&marketingcode=ZZZZZZZZZZ&irgwc=1&cid=ZZZZZZZZZZ&pStack=ZZZZZZZZZ

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 05:45:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
There hasn't been a recent Equifax one that I can think of. There was a TransUnion one since they consistently seem to have website issues.

Have you tried to actually pull your credit report to see if it's truly frozen? I know it sucks to burn an inquiry but you don't actually have to. If it's frozen, you can't get a prequal. Try the HSBC prequal tool. They SP EQ for the prequal and will actually tell you that you're frozen.

https://apply.us.hsbc.com/apps/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=ccoprequal&promoid=RVM&marketingcode=ZZZZZZZZZZ&irgwc=1&cid=ZZZZZZZZZZ&pStack=ZZZZZZZZZ

Thank you!! That was really helpful!

They told me it's frozen. So at least the website isn't actually removing the freeze but still showing it frozen.

Thank you!

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 11:29:51 GMT

I had a security freeze placed on all 3 bureaus by citi when I disputed a charge...
I successfully got it removed from trans union only. I just pulled my reports and it shows on eq, and ex.
But I just did the HSBC pre approval and was pre approved for 2 cards. I wonder why they could check my report...

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

M_Smart007 — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 16:21:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I had a security freeze placed on all 3 bureaus by citi when I disputed a charge...
I successfully got it removed from trans union only. I just pulled my reports and it shows on eq, and ex.
But I just did the HSBC pre approval and was pre approved for 2 cards. I wonder why they could check my report...

All I can say is, I can pretty much Guarantee that ..HSBC did not SP TU

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:33:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I had a security freeze placed on all 3 bureaus by citi when I disputed a charge...
I successfully got it removed from trans union only. I just pulled my reports and it shows on eq, and ex.
But I just did the HSBC pre approval and was pre approved for 2 cards. I wonder why they could check my report...

You didn't get this blurb?

I wonder if there's a difference in a freeze placed by the consumer vs whatever Citi did on your behalf?

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:34:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I had a security freeze placed on all 3 bureaus by citi when I disputed a charge...
I successfully got it removed from trans union only. I just pulled my reports and it shows on eq, and ex.
But I just did the HSBC pre approval and was pre approved for 2 cards. I wonder why they could check my report...

And this is the only place I see that it's frozen? I don't see anything on my reports (via assorted CMS)? What should I be looking for?

I'm asking only because if there's some way I could finagle my freeze to act like your freeze, I'd be a happy woman.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 09:11:31 GMT

When I pull Equifax it shows under personal information it states the security freeze will be there for one year

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:25:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
When I pull Equifax it shows under personal information it states the security freeze will be there for one year

Thank you. Mine doesn't say anything about a freeze anywhere in my personal info. Bummer.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:39:01 GMT

In case anyone encounters this issue and finds this via Google, I called in again-only this time the automated dude couldn't verify my info so he hung up on me and locked my online account. Sigh.

So I called a different number-this time the automated guy said all was good (with the same info), and I was forwarded to someone who asked verification questions that made me LoL (do you have any bank or credit card? Buddy-are ya looking at the same file?).

Anyway-he encountered an error (system error) when trying to remove the freeze for me. He consulted with the Office of Consumer Affairs - about 17 times - and they also encountered a system error.

So the problem is some technical glitch in Equifax's super duper secure systems.

I would ask them to turn it off and back on again but that would probably crash the whole thing or we'd all end up with split files.

As of now, the Office of Consumer Affairs (for which I was not given any contact info) is in charge of figuring out a resolution. They think it'll take 10-15 days. Maybe more. They will give me a call "from time to time" to update me.

Credit file is accessible to me and existing creditors. No way to give access to a new creditor (not even with a code). Not that I am on the hunt for a new creditor right now-but that's not the point.

I am never locking Equifax again. This is dumb. And far too much time and effort.

Anyway-I'll update with more info as I have it-more so if anyone has the same issue - maybe it'll be helpful for them.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:39:32 GMT

And as always - thanks all for the replies and the help.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

AverageJoesCredit — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:49:11 GMT

This is why i dont ever want to put a freeze on Eq. They are too incompetent and in my case i can never get my info online from them. When i had it froze, no one could ever access my report, not even CK or MyFico. I would love to dispute some stuff on my report but am scared ill end up with split files or a 3 headed gila monster. I just keep it locked with my TU subscription. Equihack equisux

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 18:25:06 GMT

That's incredible and I guess somewhat predictable w Equifax.
But I am sorry you endured this. Can I bother u for the phone number for a human?
I've went through a somewhat similar situation last year when EQ through a freeze on all 3, and after requesting them to remove it they did and immediately gave another security freeze wich of course was back on.other 2 beaureas

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

OmarR — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 22:32:19 GMT

I wish everyone the best that has problems with Equifax. I can unfreeze and freeze all day long with them.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 22:38:55 GMT

Interestingly, Joe-my CK seems unable to update EQ today. It's previously updated with a freeze. It’s due to update today, and TU updated this AM, but EQ keeps saying next update due in x number of hours where the number of hours keeps going up.

I done broke the freeze. Or EQ entirely (although they didn't have far to go).

And I didn’t get a number direct to a human. I ended up calling the number that showed up when I tried to sign up for the Lock app (which it wouldn’t let me do). Same verification guy. He just happened to let me in.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 22:34:26 GMT

@OmarR wrote:
I wish everyone the best that has problems with Equifax. I can unfreeze and freeze all day long with them.

I had been too. Until this time.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

I_Love_Cards — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 00:11:23 GMT

Update:

So the freeze has been removed. Ok.

In addition-my Equifax and credit karma are showing 0 inquiries (LOL) and no payment history for all but one of my accounts. Credit karma also thinks all of my accounts were removed (but it still shows them...). My Equifax says my credit report has no status. I don’t know if that just means it’s not frozen? I never looked at that field before so I don’t know what it “should” say.

Oh the plus side-with my 0 inquiries and impeccable payment history (or - no negative payment history) my Vantage score is fantastic! LOL.

I also have a brand new address in a state I have never even been to (no co-signed or AU accounts so this isn’t another borrower’s updated address-and it’s not on any other report).

I fear this is not the kind of progress I’m hoping for. I will see where this shakes out. Hopefully it is in some sort of transition and it will be all fixed up in the next couple of weeks. LOLOL. I’m sure that’s it.

Anyway-I’m continuing to document should anyone else google and come across this at a future point.

Re: Problems removing Equifax freeze

delaney1 — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 22:52:51 GMT

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
This is why i dont ever want to put a freeze on Eq. They are too incompetent and in my case i can never get my info online from them. When i had it froze, no one could ever access my report, not even CK or MyFico. I would love to dispute some stuff on my report but am scared ill end up with split files or a 3 headed gila monster. I just keep it locked with my TU subscription. Equihack equisux

What TU subscription is this that allows you to lock Equifax?