NEW YORK STATE SECURITY FREEZE LAWUnder a state law authored by Senator Fuschillo, you can now place a security freeze on your credit information to protect yourself from identity theft. A security freeze prevents your credit information from being released without your consent. If you freeze your credit files, outside parties would be unable to view them without your approval, which is given by using a special PIN number. Since banks and credit agencies usually do not issue new loans, credit, or mortgages without first viewing the applicant’s credit history, the security freeze prevents an identity thief from using your name to obtain these services, even if they have your social security number. If you would like to place a security freeze on your credit information, send a certified or overnight letter (U.S. Postal Service) with your name, address, social security number, and date of birth to each of the three major credit bureaus. - Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, Georgia, 30348- Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, Texas, 75013- Trans Union Security Freeze, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, California, 92834-6790Victims of identity theft who would like to freeze their credit files should include within their request a copy of a police report or complaint to a law enforcement agency about the identity theft. CLICK HERE for additional information about how to request a security freeze, including frequently asked questions and sample letters to send to the credit bureaus, from the New York State Consumer Protection Board.
FREE CREDIT REPORTSFederal law allows you to obtain one free copy of your credit report every twelve months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).A credit report is an important record of an individual’s finances, and is used by creditors, insurers, and other businesses when determining applications for things like credit, insurance, loans, and mortgages. It is so vitally important foryou to review this information to make sure there are no inaccuracies.Reviewing your credit history is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft, so please make sure you take advantage of this new opportunity.You can order you free credit report in any of the following ways: *By phone: call 1-877-322-8228*By mail: please CLICK HERE to access the request form. Once you have completed filling out the form, mail it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta GA 30348-5281*On the Web: order online by CLICKING HERE.By checking your credit report on a regular basis you can catch mistakes and fraud before they ruin your credit rating. One of the most common ways that consumers find out that they're victims of identity theft is when they try to make a major purchase (such as a car or house) and discover unfavorable contents and mistakes in their credit reports. Legitimate loans can be denied or delayed while the credit mess is straightened out. Knowing what's in your credit report allows you to fix problems before they jeopardize a major financial transaction.
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