From Experian.com….
A credit freeze is something you can put in place to limit others from viewing your credit reports, including lenders. Freezing your credit is an extreme step, but it’s something that might be necessary if you’re dealing with identity theft and other measures, such as fraud alerts, haven’t been effective for you.
Because a credit freeze stops most lenders and service providers from obtaining your credit report, you will have to lift the freeze before making any applications for new credit. Freezing your credit report simply as a preventive measure may cause undue inconvenience. Before you request a credit freeze, there are some things to keep in mind and alternatives to look into.