| Georgia ranks among the top ten states in | | | | One other unique feature of Georgia's new law is |
| identity theft crimes, and in August 2008 | | | | the opportunity to obtain an online temporary |
| established a law, which allows consumers to | | | | "thaw" that would allow consumers to apply for |
| make a credit freeze to prevent identity theft or | | | | credit on immediately, or a permanent thaw |
| fraud or halt identity theft or fraud crimes. Since, | | | | (credit freeze removal) should take only 15 |
| about 15% of identity theft cases involve new | | | | minutes to become effective. Consumers will be |
| account fraud, according to the Federal Trade | | | | given a PIN, personal identification number that |
| Commission, monitoring new accounts is essential | | | | can be used online or over the phone. "Georgia is |
| in preventing identity theft. This law also placed a | | | | the first state to roll out the 15-minute thaw," said |
| limit on the price credit reporting agencies can | | | | Lang. Several other states are following Georgia's |
| charge Georgia residents for this service at $3.00. | | | | lead and offering a version of the thaw starting in |
| The bill was first introduced by state Rep. Rob | | | | September, 2008. |
| Teilhet in early 2006. | | | | Clark Howard, radio talk show host and a board |
| While 40 other states have some form of credit | | | | member of the consumer watchdog group |
| freeze laws on the books, Georgia's new law is | | | | Georgia Watch, has called the measure "the best |
| unique in many ways. Many states offer this | | | | credit freeze law in the United States." |
| service but at $10.00 a pop and some are as high | | | | President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau |
| as $15.00 each. "It is so low-cost," said Georgia | | | | of Central Georgia, Kelvin Collins, says the law |
| Watch spokeswoman Allison Lang. To request the | | | | provides big benefits for residents. "There really is |
| service, Georgia residents were advised to send a | | | | no way to completely prevent identity theft, but |
| letter to each of the three major credit reporting | | | | being able to freeze your credit sure reduces the |
| agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion (their | | | | risk," he said. Collins admits that the credit freeze |
| addresses are provided for your reference at the | | | | is easier to use for some than others. It may be |
| end of this article). | | | | cumbersome for young consumers who are |
| However, credit freezes in George are not a | | | | shopping or a home or car but he adds, "If you're |
| breeze: Consumers are asked to do the following: | | | | older and you've got a home and you've got a |
| Send $3.00 to each credit agency; Send each | | | | car, then it's a huge plus." |
| letter by certified mail; Include name, address, | | | | Addresses for the 3 Main Credit Reporting |
| date of birth, Social Security number; A copy of a | | | | Agencies: |
| government issued i.d. card such as a driver's | | | | Equifax Security Freeze |
| license or military i.d.; A copy of a utility bill or | | | | P.O. Box 105788 |
| bank or insurance statement. This list is very | | | | Atlanta, GA 30348 |
| specific and alternatives are not accepted. | | | | Experian Security Freeze |
| According to the new Georgia identity theft | | | | P.O. Box 9554 |
| prevention law, you may obtain a credit freeze | | | | Allen, TX 75013 |
| for free if you are older than are older than 65 or | | | | TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department |
| you are a victim of identity theft and can provide | | | | P.O. |
| a copy of a police report. | | | | |
