New Weapon To Halt Identity Theft

A new weapon in preventing identity theft was unveiled on November 1 as a new law went into effect in New York state under which a person can request that a security freeze can be placed on their credit files.

The new law will give New Yorkers a way to prevent identity theft because it will block access to your credit history, explained Consumer Protection Board Chairperson Teresa Santiago.

"Blocking access to your credit files, in most cases, will prevent someone from using your name and credit information to establish a new line of credit," Santiago added.

The new law was sponsored by Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaways). Under its provisions, a security freeze can be obtained only by sending a letter by certified mail or overnight courier to each of three credit reporting agencies, Trans Union, Experian and Equifax.

Santiago said the service is free if a consumer is making the request for the first time. A $5 fee can be charged for subsequent requests, as well as to remove or temporarily halt a security freeze.

No fees are charged to victims of identity theft, provided they submit a signed police report or an ID Theft Victim's affidavit obtained from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The freeze will take place within five business days after the consumer's letter is received. Within 10 days, the credit bureaus must send a letter to the consumer advising that the security freeze is in place and giving instructions on how the credit freeze can be removed or temporarily stopped. The letter will also include a personal identification number (PIN) to be used when the consumer calls a credit bureau in the future.

The credit bureaus' addresses are: Trans Union, Fraud Victim Assistance Dept., P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, Calif. 92834; Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, Georgia 30348, and Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, Texas 75013.-John Toscano