<prompt> Human: EDIT 4:Im re-arranging and cleaning up the post to show info in a clean format, so as to answer many of the questions than has been asked, because I cant answer questions timely any more, because this post blew up. But I want everybody to understand and use this opportunity. What is a credit freeze?A credit freeze is when you put a hold on your credit record, so that nobody can get access to it without your permission. It protects you against identity theft. Even if a hacker knows all your info, including your SSN, he wont be able to use your account to get a new credit card, because you will have to unfreeze your info before they can be released. Now by law, the credit reporting agencies have to respect your wishes, as to who has access to your personal credit record. Once you freeze your record, it can only be accessed after if you unfreezethaw it.Other replies:Why is this news important now?Many experts agree that freezing your credit report is the strongest way to protect against identity theft. Starting Friday, youll be able to do it free of charge. In the wake of a massive data breach last year at Equifax that exposed personal information for about 148 million Americans, Congress amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require reporting agencies to freeze reports for no charge. Equifax is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. The bill was passed in May It is effective as of today.How can I do it?To set up your own credit freezes, go to the freeze page at each credit agencys website individually: ExperianEquifaxTransUnion ChexSystemsInnovis NCTUE You will be given a PIN that youll need to lift or remove the freeze in the future. Do I have to do this with all credit agencies? I only have one credit cardYes you do. Your credit card reports to multiple credit reporting companies. Does this mean that I can freeze my credit score at 810? Does freezing affect my score?No. A credit freeze only freezes who can see your credit record. Your credit score will still be based on how you pay off your lenders. Freezing does not affect your score.Is credit unfreezethaw also free?Yes.How long does the thaw process takes before credit is available to be pulled?If you do the thaw request online, the law requires it to be done within 3 hrs. 24 hrs, if you do it by mail.What if I lose my PIN? How do I recover itFrom several posts I saw, there are methods to recover your pin and access your account that involves snail mail. You get letters in regular mail, which I assume is for confirming your physical address.How accurate is this info?To the best of my knowledge. I will update as I find better info.Where can I find more info?Original PostEDITS:Thanks to utjtwmfl , ugraphitezor , ushawn_sarmin , uIndushydi , upingpong , uVolim_Da_Mislish uDangitImtired ubobsmithhome uhonorious for their contributions.Thanks for the gold!!! Assistant: How much does it cost to unfreeze?Human: Great question. I dont think they will charge you for unfreezing. Because unfreezing benefits them. When you freeze they no longer can share your data; which is how they make money. So unfreezing will let them make money off you.But then again, they can hold you ransom, when you are on a deadline to get a loan approved; and charge you an expedited service fee etc. So far I havent been able to find an answer. If somebody knows, please post.  <response>: I think in the past when they were charging, it was more like oh you froze your credit? Well we couldnt use it and make money then. So if you want to use it now, please pay 9.95 to reimburse us for not being able to use it.I think it was TransUnion that still tried to charge me to lift after I moved to a new state, so I flat out kept putting my old state which had a law that they couldnt charge. I cant opt out of this shitty system and Im not paying money to jump through YOUR hoops in a game I DONT want to play. 