Georgia's credit freeze law takes effect August 1, 2008

On May 13, 2008 Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law a credit freeze bill that provides Georgia consumers with the ability to place a freeze on their credit file for only $3, or a total of $9 for each of the three major credit-reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The freeze would be free for senior citizens 65 and older and for victims of identity theft. Each temporary lift – commonly called a “thaw” – to allow access to the consumer’s credit file would also cost $3, and would be available electronically within 15 minutes of request, keeping on-the-spot credit an option for shoppers. The legislation became effective August 1, 2008.

With the signing of this bill, Georgians have gained a new weapon in the fight against identity theft. When a freeze is in place, credit reporting agencies may not release the consumer’s credit file unless the consumer first removes the freeze by providing his password. Most lenders and creditors rely on access to a consumer’s credit file to determine his credit worthiness. By denying such access, a credit freeze makes it very difficult for an identity thief to open an account in a victim’s name.

It should be noted that the law does give some companies access to reports despite a freeze such as insurance companies, existing creditors and law enforcement agencies.

To place a credit freeze on your file, consumers must contact the credit reporting agencies:

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com/freeze
1-888-397-3742

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
1-800-685-1111

TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
1-888-909-8872

The request must include identifying information:

Full name (and former name if applicable)
Current Address and former address if it changed in the last 5 years
Social Security number
Date of birth
Photocopy of a driver’s license, state ID card or other government-issued identification
Proof of current residence, such as a copy of a phone or utility bill
If you are a victim of identity theft, include a copy of either the police report; investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft;
If you are not a victim of identity theft, include payment by check, money order or credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover cards only.) Do not send cash in the mail.

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