No, it just prevents banks, etc from checking your credit score/rating, which prevents anyone from opening a new account under your name. When YOU want to open an account, you temporarily unfreeze it for a couple days so that the institution you're opening an account at can check, and then refreeze it.
The credit agencies will continue monitoring how much credit you have and how well you pay your bills and adjust your score accordingly. Freezing has no effect on that.
The best time to have frozen your credit reports at all three agencies was many many years ago. The second best time is right now. Not tomorrow. Now.
They want to use the public space for that.
This could be a great use for a voice AI chat bot connected to your phone line. Prompt it with something like,
"You're on a phone call to [Widgets Inc] to get a price quote for a [box of premium widgets]. You'll probably be put on hold to speak with the next available sales representative. Just wait until you get a person on the line. Then, ask for the price and immediately start negotiating for a better price. Use whatever strategy you want but never agree to whatever price they offer. Keep coming up with more ridiculous reasons that they should give you an even better price."
Then dial the phone, turn it over to the chat bot, and wander off to go do more important things.
Wait. Am I reading this right? Their punishment for doing something that they weren't supposed to be doing is just to stop doing it?
I vow from this point forward to always pronounce it, BEE-ka-chefs.
That's a rough 30 year old.