CoPIRG's Rex Wilmouth

Put The Security Freeze To Work For You

On July 1, an identity theft protection law went into effect that gives Coloradans strong protection against identity fraud. However, in order to take advantage of the new law, you need to take action.

Using a security freeze allows you to take control over your credit report. Data dealers won’t be able to sell or give away your information—which has become a large part of their business.

The security freeze law works like this: when an identity thief obtains your personal information, whether by buying it or stealing it, they can open a line of credit in your name. At first you may not know what has happened. In the meantime the thief can rack up huge debt in your name and destroy your credit rating.

By putting a security freeze on your account, identity thieves are blocked from both stealing and using your personal information. They can’t buy the information from the credit bureau without your secret pin number, and they can’t open an account in your name without the pin either.

When you need to open a new line of credit you simply remove the freeze for your credit to be checked, and put it back in place.

Putting the freeze on is easy. You write to your credit bureau and request they activate the security freeze. Send the letter by certified mail and include:

• Full name,

• Address and previous address (if applicable),

• Social Security number,

• Date of birth,

• Proof of current address, like a utility bill.

The freeze is free, though there is $10 fee to unlock your account.

For address of the credit bureaus and other details go to www.copirg.org/freeze.