# Credit Freezing
> 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.
- URL: https://optimly.ai/brand/credit-freezing
- Slug: credit-freezing
- BAI Score: 95/100
- Archetype: Challenger
- Category: Financial Services Regulation / Consumer Rights
- Last Analyzed: April 11, 2026