Protect Your Identity by Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Files
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-01-29 16:47:39.585474-05:00
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an estimated 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft, resulting in billions of dollars of losses for consumers and businesses. AARP believes that consumers should have the option to place a security freeze on their credit files. AARP advocated for such a law and now that choice is available to all New Yorkers.
A security freeze is a notice you place on your consumer credit report that prohibits the consumer credit reporting agency from releasing the contents of your credit file to anyone except at your request.
The security freeze lets you stop ID thieves from getting credit in your name by blocking access to your credit files thus stopping the thief cold. The security freeze does not prevent you from obtaining new credit.
Any New York resident may request that a security freeze be placed on their consumer credit file by sending a written request by either certified or overnight mail to each of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies. A consumer credit reporting agency that receives a written request will place a security freeze no later than five business days after receiving the request.
The consumer credit reporting agency will send a written confirmation of the security freeze placement to you within 10 business days of placing the freeze. In addition, the written confirmation will provide a unique personal identification number (PIN) or password to be used to authorize lifting the security freeze when you are seeking credit from a potential creditor. You may be charged a fee of no more than $5 for lifting the security freeze.
Is a security freeze for you?
Not everyone will want to put a security freeze on their credit file. If you have a security freeze in place, you will need to temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze to apply for a loan, a new credit card, or new insurance coverage. The same is true if your new employer requires a background check.
How do I place a security freeze on my credit files?
In order to place the security freeze, you must contact each individual credit reporting agency listed below via certified mail or overnight mail with the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Proof of Current Address (such as a current utility bill)
Requests should be sent to the following credit reporting agencies:
Equifax
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, Georgia 30348
Experian
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Transunion
TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Placing a security freeze is free the first time.
Special Note: No consumer credit reporting agency shall charge a fee to a victim of identity theft who has submitted to them either a copy of a signed Federal Trade Commission ID theft victim's affidavit or a valid police report.
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