How quickly must a creditor be able to obtain a thaw or temporary lift of a credit freeze?

• A. The consumer can request a temporary lift online or by phone using a PIN/password, and the bureau should respond promptly (often within minutes to hours)
• B. It requires court approval
• C. It takes several weeks
• D. It cannot be done once a freeze is placed

Answer: (B)

A thaw or temporary lift is designed to be quick and consumer-controlled. When you need a creditor to access your file, you can request a temporary lift online or by phone using a PIN or password. The credit bureau should respond promptly, typically within minutes to hours, so legitimate credit checks can proceed without a long delay. Court approval isn’t required—the process is initiated by you and handled by the bureaus. You can also tailor the lift to a specific creditor or a set time window, if needed.