• According to Bankrate, it is possible for anyone to ask the credit bureaus to freeze his or her credit report. This means that your report can't be accessed by third parties without your consent, according to the Virgina government website. While a credit freeze does have its pros, it also comes with a list of cons--some of which can be very frustrating and time-consuming to a credit-active consumer. These cons may be less so for consumers who choose not to use credit.
  
  

Keep Your Report from Fraudsters

• One of the biggest benefits of a credit freeze is that you don't have to worry about someone accessing your report who shouldn't. This can happen if someone gets his hands on your social security number and other personal information, which will allow him to pull a credit report---acting as you---in order to gain information about your accounts and overall credit rating.
  
  

Keep Your Report from Marketers

• Bank and credit card marketing departments often use a "soft pull" to pre-qualify you for their products. Then they send you an offer that is tailored to your credit standing. If you freeze your report, these outside creditors will no longer be able to pull your report for this purpose, and your mail solicitations may decrease.
  
  

Collection Agents and Creditors May Still Have Access

• Creditors and collection agents use credit reports to review your spending habits or to track you down. Freezing your report may not be a successful way to keep current creditors and collection agents who are after you for past due bills from accessing your credit report. According to Experian, companies that you have a previous credit relationship with may still have access to your report after the freeze.
  
  

A Freeze Can Slow Down Credit Approval

• Since your credit is frozen, lenders with whom you apply for credit may not be able to see it in order to approve you for credit. This can cause an automatic denial. Even if they are able to eventually access your report, your freeze can slow this process down, according to Experian.
  
  

A Freeze Can Be Difficult to Remove

• In order to remove a freeze, you need to have the ID number and password given to you by the credit bureau at the time of your freeze, as well as proof of your identity. This may entail sending in a copy of your driver's license with a statement that you want your freeze removed. This can take time and become a hassle, especially if you have misplaced your ID number and password.