kdonnel, what is the process to "un-freeze" your credit to open an account if needed?
The process to freeze or unfreeze varies slightly from bureau to bureau.
Generally you have created an account with them and there is a web page to initiate the unfreeze. Some just have you login to your account, others you have a long pin assigned at freeze time that needs to be entered to unfreeze. Sometimes you may be asked verification questions based on your credit report to complete the change which can be difficult. It might ask what your mortgage payment was 20 years ago and give you multiple choice options to pick from like A) 1000-1004, B) 1005-1009, C) 1010-1014, D) None of the above. You have to really remember what the mortgage payment was to answer correctly as the ranges are so small. You can also specify a period of time the credit remains unfrozen so that it automatically refreezes.
Worst case they assume it is someone else trying to access your credit and require you to submit the request in writing.
It has not really stopped me from opening any accounts I have wanted. In the 7 or so years my credit has been frozen I have not had any issues that prevented me from opening accounts, though I will say it was more difficult.
freeze/unfreeze is free by federal law.
The credit bureaus have created the concept of locked credit. They make locking and unlocking your credit extremely easy but charge for the service.
The hardest part is knowing which one of the three to unfreeze. Places have gotten better about knowing what credit bureau they use and can often tell you which one to unfreeze before they try. If they can't you have to unfreeze all three or let them try and then it will often tell them which bureau was used.