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World Privacy Forum: State Security Freeze Laws and General InformationWhat is a security freeze?A credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze) lets you stop the disclosure of your credit report by a credit bureau. Currently, the three credit bureaus are allowing all consumers nationwide to set a security freeze for a fee. Some states have specific security freeze laws; a list of states with security freeze laws may be found below. However, even if you live in a state without a security freeze law, you can still set a security freeze. The result of a credit freeze should be that neither you nor anyone else can open a new credit account in your name. (A freeze will not stop your existing credit cards from working.) A credit freeze can also prevent insurance companies or employers from obtaining your credit data. That’s why if you are actively seeking new employment or insurance, you may want to think carefully about enacting a credit freeze unless you are currently a victim of identity theft. A credit freeze can be especially helpful to individuals who are having persistent problems with identity theft. Credit freeze is not for everyone, and not everyone has the right at this point to set a credit freeze.
How does a security freeze work?The way a credit freeze works is that access to your consumer credit report and your credit score are locked when you put a freeze on the files. A lender or merchant will normally not issue new credit if it cannot access your credit report or score. The benefit of a freeze is that you can stop thieves from getting credit in your name. The downside is that you are also stopped from getting credit unless you “thaw” the freeze. You can unlock your security freeze by using a PIN to unlock access to the credit file. Some states require the “thaw” to take no longer than 15 minutes. Some allow longer times.
Who can place a security freeze?Up until November 1, 2007, the ability to freeze your credit was granted only by state law, and was available only in those states that had passed credit freeze laws. However, as of November 1, 2007, the three credit bureaus -- Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian -- began allowing consumers in all states set a security freeze regardless of state law. However, if your state law entitles you to a lower fee, that will remain in place.
How to place a credit freeze:First, find out if you live in a state with a specific security freeze law. (See the list below). Some states allow for low cost or free credit freezes. If you do not live in a state with a credit freeze law, you may still place a credit freeze by checking with the three credit reporting bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. For further information and more details about how each state manages security freezes, click the See links under each state. Often, the Attorney General's office will have a tip sheet that is helpful. If not, you can contact your state Attorney General's office for more information. Note: There is some variability between the state security freeze laws. To see the state laws, click the State law links under each state. If you would like more detailed background information about security freezes, see the More About Security Freezes section of this page (bottom of the page). If you find a stale link, please let us know.
Credit Reporting Bureau Freeze Information:
State -by- State Security Freeze Information
The World Privacy Forum strongly recommends that before placing a credit freeze, that you check with the three credit reporting bureaus to ensure that you are submitting the correct documents and information to them.
Alabama State law: No state security freeze law at this time. See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Alaska State law: Yes. Will go into effect July 1, 2009. Until then, consumers can still pay for a freeze through the three credit bureaus. See Alaska's security freeze law. See: Until July 1 2009, see Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Arizona Arizona's security freeze law goes into effect August 31, 2008. State law: Yes. See Arizona's security freeze law. For more information, see: Until August 31 2008, see Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Arkansas State law: Yes. See Arkansas' security freeze law. For more information, see: http://ag.arkansas.gov/identity_theft_ar_security_freeze.html for more information.
California State law: Yes. See California's security freeze law. For more information, see: http://www.privacy.ca.gov/sheets/cis10securityfreeze.htm.
State law: Yes. See Colorado's security freeze law. For more information, see: http://www.ago.state.co.us/idtheft/securityfreeze.cfm .
Connecticut State law: Yes. See Connecticut's security freeze law. For more information, see: See the Consumer’s Union page: http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html or see the Connecticut Attorney General's web site: http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/browse.asp?a=2066&agNav=|42277|
Delaware State law: Yes. See Delaware's security freeze law. For more information, see: The Attorney General's brochure located at http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov and http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov
District of Columbia District of Columbia law: Yes. See Washington DC security freeze law For more information, see: The District of Columbia does not have an official state page for security freeze that we could find. See the Consumer’s Union page instead: http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html or see the District of Columbia's Attorney General's web site: http://oag.dc.gov/occ/site/default.asp
Florida State law: Yes. See Florida security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.800helpfla.com/scams/securityfreeze.html
Georgia Georgia's law goes into effect August 1, 2008 State law: Yes. Will go into effect July 1 2009. Until then consumers can still pay for a freeze through the three credit bureaus. See Georgia's security freeze law. See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Hawaii State law: Yes. See Hawaii security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/quicklinks/id_theft_info/new_security_freeze
Idaho State law: Yes. See Idaho security freeze law See: http://www2.state.id.us/ag/consumer/tips/creditreportfreeze.htm
Illinois State law: Yes. See Illinois security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
Indiana State law: Yes. See Indiana security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/ .
Iowa State law: No state security freeze law at this time. For more information, see: Consumers can still set a freeze using the Credit Reporting Bureaus. See the credit bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Kansas State law: Yes. See Kansas security freeze law For more information, see: Kansas does not have an official state page for security freeze that we could find. See the Consumer’s Union page instead:www.consumersunion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm, click on Kansas. Or see the Kansas Attorney General's web site: http://www.ksag.org/home/
Kentucky State law: Yes. See Kentucky security freeze law For more information, see: http://ag.ky.gov/consumer/securityfreeze.htm
Louisiana State law: Yes. See Louisiana security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.ag.louisiana.gov
Maine State law: Yes. See Maine security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/ Scroll down to security freeze sections.
Maryland State law: Yes. See Maryland security freeze law For more information, see: http://marypirg.org/MD.asp
Massachusetts State law: Yes. See Massachusetts security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.mass.gov/ In the search box, type security freeze. There are a number of materials.
Michigan State law: No state security freeze law at this time. See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Minnesota State law: Yes. See Minnesota security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/YLR/FreezeLaw.asp
Mississippi State law: Yes. See Mississippi security freeze law For more information, see: Mississippi does not have an official state page for security freeze that we could find. See the Consumer’s Union page instead: www.consumersunion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm, click on Mississippi. Or see the Mississippi Attorney General's web site: http://www.ago.state.ms.us/
Missouri State law: No state security freeze law at this time. See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Montana State law: Yes. See Montana security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.doj.mt.gov/consumer/consumer/securityfreeze.asp
Nebraska Law goes into effect Sept. 1, 2008. State law: Yes. See Nebraska security freeze law. Until September 1 2008, consumers may set a security freeze by paying for a freeze through the three credit bureaus. See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze: For more information, see: http://www.ago.state.ne.us after Sept. 1, 2008.
Nevada State law: Yes. See Nevada security freeze law See: http://ag.state.nv.us/ Scroll to see information on credit freeze.
New Hampshire State law: Yes. See New Hampshire security freeze law For more information, see: http://doj.nh.gov/consumer/credit_freeze.html
New Jersey State law: Yes. See New Jersey security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/securityfreeze.pdf
New Mexico State law: Yes. See New Mexico security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.ago.state.nm.us
New York State law: Yes. See New York security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/crime/security%20freeze.pdf
North Carolina State law: Yes. See North Carolina security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.ncdoj.com/
North Dakota State law: Yes. See North Dakota security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.ag.state.nd.us
Ohio State law: No state security freeze law at this time. See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
Oklahoma State law: Yes. See Oklahoma security freeze law. To read the bill, go to the web site, click on Basic Search Form, enter <sb1748> in the Measure Number box, select 2006 regular session from the Session menu, and click enter. The bill text will be a pop up file. For more information, see: See the Consumer’s Union page: www.consumersunion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm, click on Oklahoma. Or see the Oklahoma Attorney General's web site: http://www.oag.state.ok.us/
Oregon State law: Yes. See Oregon security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/idtheft.shtml
Pennsylvania State law: Yes. See Pennsylvania security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/consumers.aspx?id=2085
Rhode Island State law: Yes. See Rhode Island security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.riag.ri.gov
South Carolina Law will go into effect December 31, 2008 State law: Yes. See South Carolina security freeze law. Until December 31, consumers may set a security freeze by paying for a freeze through the three credit bureaus. For more information, see: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:
South Dakota State law: Yes. See South Dakota security freeze law For more information, see: does not have an official state page for security freeze that we could find. See the Consumer’s Union page instead: www.consumersunion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm, click on South Dakota. Or see the South Dakota Attorney General's web site:http://www.state.sd.us/attorney/
Tennessee State law: Yes. See Tennessee security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.attorneygeneral.state.tn.us/ .
Texas State law: Yes. See Texas security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/notice/042806ut_faq.shtml#shoulddo
Utah Takes effect Sept. 1, 2008. State law: Yes. See Utah security freeze law For more information, see: http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov
Vermont State law: Yes. See Vermont security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.atg.state.vt.us/display.php?smod=198 and http://www.atg.state.vt.us
Virginia State law: Yes. See Virginia security freeze law (Note: this link does not always pull up correctly. If the link does not open, click on the link below, which will take you to an informational page about Virginia's security freeze law.) See: http://www.oag.state.va.us/FAQs/FAQ_CR_Security_Freeze.html
Washington State law: Yes. See Washington security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.atg.wa.gov/ConsumerIssues/ID-Privacy/SecurityFreeze.aspx
West Virginia State law: Yes. See West Virginia security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.wvago.gov/consumers.cfm?fx=savy&savy=3
Wisconsin State law: Yes. See Wisconsin security freeze law For more information, see: http://www.privacy.wi.gov/securityfreeze/securityfreeze.jsp
Wyoming State law: Yes. See Wyoming security freeze law For more information, see: Wyoming does not have an official state page for security freeze that we could find. See the Consumer’s Union page instead: www.consumersunion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm, click on Wyoming. Or see the Wyoming Attorney General's web site: http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/
More information about security freeze:
This page is not legal advice, and should not be used in lieu of legal advice.Updated July 12, 2008 ; November 5, 2007. Originally posted July 22, 2007. |
Related:More on financial privacy opt-outs: WPF Top Ten Opt Out pageHow to order a free credit reportMedical Identity Theft Page |
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