Credit Firms Resist Anti-ID Theft Measure

KingFishKingFish
edited August 2004 in Science & Tech
Little by little, a weapon against identity theft is gaining currency - but few people know about it. It's called the security freeze, and it lets individuals block access to their credit reports until they personally unlock the files by contacting the credit bureaus and providing a PIN code.
The process is a bit of a hassle, and the credit-reporting industry believes it complicates things unnecessarily. But it appears to be one of the few ways to virtually guarantee that a fraudster cannot open an account in your name. The freeze became an option in California and Texas last year, and Louisiana and Vermont will allow it beginning next July. However, the Texas and Vermont laws apply only to people who already have been victimized by identity theft.
This can get quite expensive also but can provide a peace of mind you can't put a price on. -KF

Source: Excite/Associated Press

Comments

  • LincLinc Owner Detroit Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    Protection only for those who've already been victimized? :wtf: That's kinda like saying you can only carry mace if you've already been attacked. A little messed up, I think.
  • KingFishKingFish
    edited August 2004
    I would definitely agree. Not very forward thinking on this issue in Texas and Vt.

    KF
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited August 2004
    forward thinking and Texas cannot be used in the same sentence
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