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>Keep in mind that a freeze could slow down application processes for things like a loan, a job, or social service benefits

hmm.. what does that mean? I can be refused a loan if I forget to unfreeze before applying?

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Yes. This nearly happened to my spouse and I. It was such a pain in the ass. We froze our accounts after the Equifax breach. For some reason, I was able to unfreeze mine quickly and easily over the web, but for hers, they refused to do it over the web and insisted on using postal mail. Meanwhile the loan officer was telling us that if we couldn't get it unfrozen, they couldn't guarantee the rate they gave us and the loan could fall through. I forget exactly what happened, but once we received the letter in the mail we were able to call and get it lifted just before the time limit on the loan ran out. I would not want to go through that again. It's a terrible system.

Refused, or asked to un-freeze. Depends on the banking institution.

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