Freeze Your Identity, Make It Harder To Steal

Identity theft is a serious crime that is widespread and costly for those who have had their identities stolen. Money, months, and years, can be spent cleaning up the mess thieves have made of one's good name and credit record.

In the course of a day, in every transaction you reveal bits of personal information, such as your bank and credit card account numbers, your income, your Social Security number (SSN), your name, address and phone number. Once an identity thief has this information, it can be used without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.

According to research, an estimated 8.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2005, which resulted in some $56.9 billion in losses for consumers and businesses.

Put a lock on identity theft with New York's Security Freeze Law enacted last year.

"Identity theft is a serious crime that is both widespread and costly," Lois Aronstein, state director, AARP New York said. "This law gives New Yorkers a new and effective tool to help keep identity thieves from getting their hands on your personal credit information. AARP believes that consumers should have the option to protect themselves by placing a freeze on their credit files. AARP advocated for such a law and now that choice is available to all New Yorkers," said Aronstein.

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 file to anyone, except at your request.

The Security Freeze essentially lets you stop ID thieves from getting credit in your name by stopping them cold and blocking access to your credit files. It will not prevent you from obtaining new credit.

As of Nov. 1, 2006, any New York resident may request a Security Freeze by sending a written request, by certified or overnight mail, to these consumer credit reporting agencies:

•Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348

•Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

•TransUnion Security Freeze, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834.

Include your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), and proof of current address, such as a current utility bill.

Within 10 days of placing the freeze on your information the credit reporting agency will send written confirmation, providing a unique personal identification number (PIN) or password to be used authorizing lifting the Security Freeze when you seek credit from a potential creditor.

Placing a freeze is free the first time. If you have a Security Freeze in place, you will need to temporarily or permanently remove the freeze to apply for a loan, a new credit card, or new insurance coverage. The same is true when applying for a job if the employer requires a background check. The consumer credit agencies may charge a small fee for lifting the Security Freeze the first time.

Although identify safety is never 100 percent guaranteed, a Security Freeze can provide some peace of mind and a measure of control over your financial security.

If your identity is stolen report it immediately to the police. 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.

For more information on placing a Security Freeze on your credit report,.go to the New York State Consumer Protection Board's Web site at www.consumer.state.ny.us or the AARP New York state Web site at www.aarp.org/ny.

To order a free Security Freeze brochure, New York residents may call 866-227-7442 or email AARP at nyaarp@aarp.org.