Placing a credit freeze with Equifax restricts access to your credit report, helping prevent identity theft and fraudulent accounts. When frozen, lenders cannot view your credit file, so new credit cannot be opened in your name without your permission. You can initiate a freeze online, by phone, or by mail. Equifax provides a personal identification number (PIN) or password to temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze when needed. Freezing your credit does not affect your credit score, existing accounts, or the ability to use them. It is a pro
