I've read on here about freezing a CRA, which will prevent further inquiries. One problem I've had is CAs doing hard inquiries on my CR, which is messing up my score... and preventing me from applying due to # of inq.
If I freeze a CRA, can CAs still do a hard pull?
Also, how long does it take to "unfreeze" when you're ready to apply for credit again?
Thank you! 
@bichonmom wrote:I've read on here about freezing a CRA, which will prevent further inquiries. One problem I've had is CAs doing hard inquiries on my CR, which is messing up my score... and preventing me from applying due to # of inq.
If I freeze a CRA, can CAs still do a hard pull?
Also, how long does it take to "unfreeze" when you're ready to apply for credit again?
Thank you!
Even if the CA is not yet on your credit report, generally a freeze does not stop them.
A CA collecting on behalf of an existing creditor cannot be frozen out.
Thank you, O6. That was my main motivation for freezing. I have opted out of all 3 CRAs, so hopefully that will help prevent them from crawling out of the woodwork after the CRTP has long past.
Experian told me to unfreeze that I need to contact them (by mail, I believe) and that from the time they receive the letter, it could take about 3 days. So a good rule of thumb is about 2 weeks before applying with a creditor (that you know uses a specific cra), that you ask the cra to temporarily or permanently unfreeze. In some states, it costs fees. It costed me about 10 bucks in CA.
It's not as scary or as hard as some people make out. Mine was done in about 5 minutes or less. You then get mailed a specific code that you're supposed to save until you're ready to unfreeze. BTW, with a security freeze, NOBODY can access your credit report. Not even you. It might still be possible for collectors to add stuff to your report BUT without being able to do an inquiry first. Inquiries are usually only done when you are voluntarily applying for something, and nobody voluntarily applies for a collection agency account. So it may be possible to add stuff to your report without them hitting your report with an inquiry. I think it might be illegal for a CA to hit your account with a hard inquiry as though you applied with them.
Starting Score: 487It might vary by state then, because in the disclaimer on Experian's website, it clearly stated that in order for me to check my own report, I would have to unfreeze my report.
It could be that they lied to me too. In fact, that's probably more likely. EX hates it when consumers freeze thier files, so it's in their best interest to scare the consumers out of doing it, I guess.