AARP Hopes to Put the Freeze on ID Theft
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-12-29 12:33:00-05:00
With winter chills still in the air, AARP is hoping for a freeze of a different kind.
The 2007 state legislative session kicked off on Jan. 8, and AARP has geared up to tackle a number of important issues affecting older Washingtonians and their families.
First, AARP Washington is fighting to allow all Washington consumers—not just those who have already been victimized by identity thieves—to place a protective "security freeze" on their credit reports. Placing a freeze on a credit report prevents identity thieves from opening new accounts without the consumer's knowledge and express consent.
The question the legislature must answer is, "Whose credit is it anyway?" We believe the power over one's credit belongs in the hands of the consumer, not the credit bureaus or identity thieves.
Some advocates have argued that consumers should wait for the ability to freeze their credit until an instant "thaw" provision is available in order to preserve consumer access to "instant" credit. Unfortunately this system could take as long as three years to implement.
AARP is fighting to give all consumers the ability to freeze their credit report now. Washington state is seventh in the nation for identity theft, and consumers cannot afford to wait until an instant thaw computer system is available.
Happily, two of AARP's budget priorities were included in the governor's proposed budget and appear likely to pass the full legislature.
Governor Gregoire has proposed about $13 million in state funding to cover prescription drug co-pays for low-income seniors on Medicaid to keep these Washingtonians healthy.
The governor also proposed a significant funding increase ($2 million) for the state Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides important services such as support groups and respite care to unpaid and family caregivers.
AARP applauds Governor Gregoire's inclusion of these priorities in her proposed budget, and now looks to the legislature to pass these important measures.
If you would like to support AARP's legislative agenda or to let your legislator know where you stand on any issue, you can contact the state legislature toll-free at 1-800-562-6000. Together, we can make a difference!
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