New tools to help prevent ID theft

New tools to help prevent ID theft

Tools

Story Published: Sep 25, 2007 at 7:49 AM PDT

Story Updated: Sep 29, 2007 at 12:17 PM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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A credit freeze is one of the strongest tools available to fight identity theft. By blocking access to your account, and ID thief can't open new credit lines in your name.

Starting in October, two of the big three credit bureaus, TransUnion and Equifax, will let you freeze access to your credit report, if you want. You don't have to be the victim of identity theft. You will have to pay for the service.

This is a positive step. But it won't be truly effective unless the other big credit bureau, Experian, offers a similar freeze program.

Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna wants everyone to remember that we have a credit freeze law in our state.

That law says if you are the victim of identity theft or if your personal information was compromised in some way, you can request a FREE security freeze from all three credit bureaus. The bureaus have 5 days to act after getting your written request.

Starting in September of 2008, a new provision of the law takes effect. It will let anyone in Washington State place a freeze on their credit reports, even if they are not victims or potential victims of ID theft.

For More Information:

McKenna applauds TransUnion and Equifax and helps explain new credit freeze rules

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