What's the difference between a fraud alert and a credit freeze?

Certain states allow individuals to implement a security or identity "freeze" that completely locks, or freezes, access to your consumer credit report and credit score. With a credit freeze, a business will not issue new credit to anyone in your name - including you, unless you unlock your file. When you want to access your own credit, you will need to formally unlock access to the credit file. Certain fees may apply.