Freeze to Protect, Unfreeze to Borrow

Freezing your credit files with major credit bureaus prevents unauthorized access to your credit report, enhancing identity theft protection. However, this also impedes your ability to secure new loans, such as a car loan, since lenders require access to your credit history. The process is reversible; you can unfreeze your credit when needed, typically within 24 to 72 hours, allowing flexibility while safeguarding your financial information.