A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. If you suspect your personal information or identity was stolen, placing a credit freeze can help protect you from fraud.
When you place a security freeze, creditors cannot access your credit report. This will keep them from approving any new credit account in your name, whether it is fraudulent or legitimate.
To let lenders and other companies access your credit files again to create new accounts, you will need to lift your credit freeze permanently or temporarily.
Freeze or lift the freeze on your credit report for free by contacting each of the three major credit reporting agencies:
You can submit your request online, by phone, or by mail.