What does a security freeze do in relation to a consumer's credit report?

A security freeze is designed to protect a consumer's credit report from unauthorized access, effectively prohibiting the release of that report without the consumer's express authorization. This means that if a security freeze is in place, lenders cannot access the individual's credit report to assess creditworthiness, which is a critical step in approving new credit accounts. This measure is particularly important for individuals who may be concerned about identity theft, as it prevents potential fraudsters from opening accounts in the consumer's name.

By contrast, options that suggest any sort of free access to the credit report or only alerting creditors do not accurately represent the protective function of a security freeze. The freeze actively restricts access, ensuring that only approved parties, and with the consumer’s permission, can view the report. This is why the understanding of a security freeze as a strict control mechanism is fundamental in discussions of personal credit security.