NOW, EVERYONE CAN FREEZE THEIR CREDIT FILES
CREDIT FREEZES CAN ALSO HELP REIN IN CREDIT BASED SPENDING
San Diego, CA. No, it was not the result of an act of Congress; rather it was quite simply common sense, a rarity these days at most levels of government and private enterprise alike. The wave of common sense thinking first hit at TransUnion Corporation earlier this month when they announced all consumers would be eligible to freeze their credit files regardless of whether or not they had become the victim of credit or identity theft. It wasn't long after that Experian and Equifax both followed suit.
As of November 1st, 2007 any consumer in the USA can opt to have their credit files frozen for a nominal $10 fee at any of the three major credit reporting agencies. If someone is a victim of identity theft, there is no charge, if they submit a police report along with the initial freeze request.
Already there is a senator from New York state who wants the CRAs to make it free to all consumers who want to freeze their credit files. He says if the CRAs don't make it free, he will introduce legislation to bring that about. ICFE promotes credit freezes for all consumers as a way to help insure privacy, protect private information and guard against credit theft and also as a way to stop new credit based spending. If someone has to go through the credit file freeze lifting process, they may think twice about opening a new line of credit.
Family members or some thieves can still get a driver's license in a another consumer's name and maybe a cell phone, but they won't be able to get any new credit, if the files are frozen.
Some credit file freeze opponents argued credit freezes hurt consumers and slowed down the time it takes to get credit when it is really needed. This was a very weak argument coming from those who are against giving consumers the un-encumbered right to restrict who has access their personal credit files. All one needs to do is send in a freeze request via Certified Mail and enclose $10.
The temporary lifting procedure is easy too and can be done over the phone. The three CRAs send detailed instructions on how to allow temporary access. In most instances, temporarily unfreezing a credit report over the phone a consumer would need a credit card, for the fee and the PIN. The temporary lift can be for a few days or a week.
The ICFE has examples of opt-out letters from unwanted credit offers and also three variations of a letter requesting a credit file freeze available for download on www.icfe.info. Please click on "Credit Freeze Letters."
For copies of sample credit freeze letters: please visit ICFE.info. For more information contact Carol Alberts at the St. Lucie County Extension office in Port St. Lucie at (772) 337-5684.
