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World Privacy Forum: State Security Freeze Laws and General Information

 

What 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:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

 

Alaska

State law: Yes. See Alaska's security freeze law.

See: http://www.law.state.ak.us/department/civil/consumer/4548.html

 

Arizona

State law: Yes. See Arizona's security freeze law.

For more information, see: http://www.azag.gov/consumer/SecurityFreeze/

 

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.


Colorado

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

State law: Yes. See Georgia's security freeze law.

See: http://law.ga.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,87670814_118386486,00.html

 

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: Yes. See Iowa security freeze law.

For more information, see: http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/consumer_advisories/credit_finance/Freezing_your_Credit_Report.html

 

Kansas

State law: Yes. See Kansas security freeze law

For more information, see: Kansas ID Theft Repair Kit Or see the Kansas Attorney General's web site: http://www.ksag.org/home/ Or see Consumer's Union's instructions: http://www.consumersunion.org/pdf/security/securityKS.pdf.

 

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:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

 

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:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

 

Montana

State law: Yes. See Montana security freeze law

For more information, see: http://www.doj.mt.gov/consumer/consumer/securityfreeze.asp

 

Nebraska

State law: Yes. See Nebraska security freeze law.

See: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

For more information, see: http://www.ago.state.ne.us .

 

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/Protect-Yourself/2-4-3-Protect-Your-Identity/Protect-Yourself/Freeze-Your-Credit.aspx

 

North Dakota

State law: Yes. See North Dakota security freeze law.

For more information, see: http://www.ag.state.nd.us

 

Ohio

State law: Yes. See Ohio security freeze law.

For more information, see: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/SpeakOutOhio/Blog/October-2009/Six-steps-to-stop-identity-thieves Or See the Cleveland Plain Dealer's page on Ohio security freeze: http://www.cleveland.com/consumeraffairs/index.ssf/2009/03/if_your_personal_information_h.html

See also: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

 

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

State law: Yes. See South Carolina security freeze law.

For more information, see: Credit Reporting Bureau information for setting a security freeze:

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

 

South Dakota

State law: Yes. See South Dakota security freeze law

For more information, see: General identity theft page: http://www.state.sd.us/attorney/office/divisions/consumer/idtheft/Default.asp. See also the Consumer’s Union page: www.consumersunion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm, click on South Dakota.

 

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

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:

 

 

 

 

  • See California Office of Privacy Protection. Even if you don’t live in California, this is an excellent page to learn more about how credit freeze works. If you are a California resident, you will find sample letters ready for you to print out. http://www.privacy.ca.gov/sheets/cis10securityfreeze.htm

 

 

 

 

This page is not legal advice, and should not be used in lieu of legal advice.

Updated October 22, 2009; May 7, 2009; July 12, 2008 ; November 5, 2007. Originally posted July 22, 2007.