A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, is like putting a lock on your credit report. When it’s frozen, no one can look at your credit history or open new accounts in your name—unless you temporarily lift the freeze. Plus, you’re always in control—you can lift the freeze whenever you need to. Here are a few reasons why freezing your credit can be a good decision:

 1. Keeps You Safe from Identity Thieves
If your personal information has ever been part of a data breach or you’ve misplaced important documents, a credit freeze is an extra layer of protection. It makes it a lot harder for criminals to open credit cards, loans, or other accounts using your information.

Example: Imagine a criminal gets hold of your Social Security number and some basic details from a data breach. Without a credit freeze in place, they could use that information to apply for a credit card in your name. You wouldn’t know until you started getting bills for purchases you never made—or even worse, when you’re denied a loan because the thief ran up a huge balance and didn’t pay it off. By freezing your credit, you can stop this kind of fraud before it even starts.

 2. No Effect on Your Credit Score or Day-to-Day Life
Freezing your credit doesn’t change your credit score or affect anything about your current accounts. Your credit cards, bank accounts, and other services keep working as usual. It only stops new accounts from being opened, which is where thieves try to sneak in.

 3. Free and Easy to Manage
Not only is freezing your credit free, but lifting the freeze is also a breeze when you need to apply for new credit or a loan. You can do it online, over the phone, or by mail, making it super convenient.