Credit Freezing (also known as a security freeze) is a consumer protection mechanism that restricts access to a person's credit report, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in that person's name. Mandated as a free service in the United States by federal law, it requires consumers to individually contact the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to enact or lift the restriction.
Brand Authority Index (BAI): 95/100
Archetype: Challenger
Category: Financial Services Regulation / Consumer Rights
https://optimly.ai/brand/credit-freezing
Last analyzed: April 11, 2026
Founded: 2018 (National free mandate)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C. (via FTC/CFPB oversight)