Details of credit freeze laws in all 50 states

Most states now have credit freeze laws as anti-fraud tools

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Spurred on by consumer complaints about identity theft and fraud, most states in the past few years have enacted credit freeze laws that allow consumers to bar new credit. Late in 2007, the three major credit bureaus agreed to allow all Americans to freeze their credit. Where no state law is enacted, the credit bureaus set the eligibility and fees. Where state laws have been passed, they apply. Click on your state to see its rules.

State-by-state credit freeze laws
Alabama	Indiana	Nebraska	South Carolina
Alaska	Iowa	Nevada	South Dakota
Arizona	Kansas	New Hampshire	Tennessee
Arkansas	Kentucky	New Jersey	Texas
California	Louisiana	New Mexico	Utah
Colorado	Maine	New York	Vermont
Connecticut	Maryland	North Carolina	Virginia
Delaware	Massachusetts	North Dakota	Washington
Florida	Michigan	Ohio	Washington, D.C.
Georgia	Minnesota	Oklahoma	West Virginia
Hawaii	Mississippi	Oregon	Wisconsin
Idaho	Missouri	Pennsylvania	Wyoming
Illinois	Montana	Rhode Island

CREDIT CARD FREEZE STATE LAWS
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Alabama	No state law
Alaska	No state law
Arizona	No state law
Arkansas	Jan. 1, 2008	Identity theft victims	Up to $10 to place the freeze, up to $10 to lift it temporarily, or up to $10 remove it altogether.	You must write to each of the three credit bureaus and include your police report, investigation report, or complaint to law enforcement agency must be included to show you're a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
California	Jan. 1, 2003	All consumers	No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift or remove the freeze; $12 fee to temporarily lift the freeze for a specific creditor.	You must write to each of the three credit bureaus. You must provide identifying information. If you are an identity theft victim, provide a copy of your police report (or DMV investigative report) of identity theft. Otherwise provide payment of $10 to each of the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Colorado	July 1, 2006	All consumers	No fee for the first freeze; up to $10 to lift the freeze temporarily, or to remove it altogether. Up to $12 to temporarily lift the freeze for a specific creditor. $10 to place a second freeze.	You must write to each of the three credit bureaus and send it by certified mail.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Connecticut	Jan. 1, 2006	All consumers	$10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, $10 tp remove it altogether; $12 to lift it temporarily for a specific creditor.	You must write to each of the three credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Delaware	Sept. 28, 2006	All consumers	No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $20 to place the freeze, but no fees to lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.	You must write or call each of the three credit bureaus. You must pay $20 to each of the three credit reporting agencies, unless you are a victim of identity theft, in which case you must submit a valid investigative or incident report or complain with law enforcement. (By Jan. 31, 2009, the credit reporting agencies must provide a method of placing the security freeze online.)	Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Florida	July 1, 2006	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims and seniors 65 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether. Seniors 65 and older must pay $10 for subsequent freezes and removals.	You must request it in writing to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee to place or remove a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft or are more than 65 years old, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Georgia	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Hawaii	Original law on Jan. 1, 2007, but all consumers became eligible on June 15, 2007.	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, $5 to lift it temporarily, and $5 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Each credit bureau will require a $5 fee, unless the fee is waived because you are an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees) you must send a copy of a report of alleged identity fraud or an "identity theft passport" -- a document from the state attorney general verifying that your identity has been stolen -- to each of the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Idaho	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Illinois	Jan. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims with police reports and seniors 65 years and older. All others pay a $10 fee to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee to place or remove a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft or are at least 65 years old, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Indiana	Sept. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fee to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write by mail to each of the three credit bureaus. Beginning 1/1/09, the credit bureaus must make a secure electronic mail connection available to place a security freeze on your credit files.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Iowa	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Kansas	Jan. 1, 2007	Identity theft victims only	No fees permitted	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by customer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Kentucky	July 11, 2006	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims who provide a police report. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether. $10 to have PIN reissued.	To place a freeze, you must provide identifying information, and, if you are a victim, you must include a copy of your police report to avoid paying a $10 fee. This fee may be increased based on the increase in the federal Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $0.25.)	Security freeze automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Louisiana	July 1, 2005	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims or person aged 62 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, and $8 to lift it temporarily. No fee to remove the freeze altogether.	To place a security freeze on your credit report, you must contact each of the three major credit reporting agencies in writing. Each credit reporting agency has specific information that you must include in your letter.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Maine	Feb. 1, 2006	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims who provide a police report. All others pay up to $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether. $10 to have PIN reissued, and $12 to lift the freeze temporarily for a specific creditor.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee, unless you are a victim who sends a copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Maryland	Jan. 1, 2008	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims who provide report of alleged identity fraud or with an "identity theft passport" -- a document from the state attorney general that attests that your identity has been stolen. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Each credit bureau charges a $5 fee, unless the fee is waived because you an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees,) you must send a copy of a report of alleged identity fraud or an identity theft passport to each of the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Massachusetts	Feb. 3, 2008	All consumers	No fee for identity theft victims or victim's spouse. $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $5 fee, unless you are a victim or victims spouse who sends a copy of your police report concerning identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Michigan	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Minnesota	Aug. 1, 2006	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims who provide police report. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, $5 to lift it temporarily, and $5 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $5 fee to place or remove a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report or a police case number documenting identity theft must be included.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Mississippi	July 1, 2007	Identity theft victims with a police report, investigative report or complaint filed with a law enforcement agency.	$10 to place freeze, no fee to lift temporarily or remove.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Missouri	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Montana	July 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $3 to place the freeze or to lift it temporarily. $5 to have PIN reissued. No fee to remove the freeze altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write by certified or overnight mail to each of the three credit bureaus. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the credit bureaus must make a telephone or secure electronic method available to place a security freeze on your credit files. Credit bureaus charge a $3 fee to place or temporary lift a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report or an investigative report or written FTC complaint documenting identity theft must be included to avoid a fee.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Nebraska	Sept. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims and minors (under 19). All others pay a one time $15 fee to place the freeze. No fee for lifting the freeze temporarily or removing it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Each credit bureau chargesa $15.00 fee, unless the fee is waived because you are a minor or an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees,) you must send a copy of an official police report documenting the identity theft.	Security freeze automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Nevada	Oct. 1, 2005	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims who submit a police report or those older than 65. All others pay $15 to place the freeze, $18 to lift it temporarily and $18 to remove it altogether. $20 to lift it temporarily for a specific creditor	To place a security freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $15 fee, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft, in which case the fee is waived. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
New Hampshire	Jan. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims who submit a copy of a police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus including a payment of $10, unless you are a victim of identity theft, in which case the fee is waived. To prove you are a victim, you must send to each credit reporting agency a copy of your police report, investigative report, or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
New Jersey	Jan. 1, 2006	All consumers	No fee to place the first security freeze. $5 fee to lift the freeze temporarily, $5 to remove it altogether, and $5 to have PIN reissued.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit reporting agencies. You must provide identifying information. If you are an identity theft victim, provide a copy of your police report of identity theft. Placing a security freeze on your credit report is free. Note: Consumers are also permitted to make such requests directly to consumer reporting agencies via secured e-mail.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
New Mexico	July 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims with a copy of police or investigative report and for residents over 65 years of age. All others pay $10 to place a freeze, $5 to lift it temporarily, and $5 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Each credit bureau charges a $10 fee, unless the fee is waived because you are over the age of 65, or an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees,) you must send a copy of a police or investigative report filed with a law enforcement agency to each of the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
New York	Nov. 1, 2006	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others can place the freeze for free the first time it is used. These consumers pay $5 to lift it temporarily and $5 to remove it altogether. If they wish to re-start the freeze after it is removed, they pay a $5 fee.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. The first placing of a security freeze is free. Any subsequent placing will cost $5, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report or a signed federal trade commission Id Theft Victim Affidavit must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
North Carolina	Dec. 1, 2005	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims with a valid report or complaint with a law enforcement agency. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether.	Placing to identity theft victims who have filed a police report. Other consumers will pay $10 to each of the three credit bureaus for a total cost of $30 per person to freeze a credit report for an unlimited time. To place a freeze, send a letter by certified mail to each of the three credit bureaus that includes your information along with payment.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
North Dakota	July 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims with valid copy of a police report or police case number documenting the investigative report or complaint to law enforcement agency. All others pay $5 to place the freeze and $5 to lift the freeze. No fee for removing freeze.	To place a freeze, you must write in your request and submit it by mail, telephone, or through a secure electronic mail connection if it is provided by the consumer reporting agency to each of the three credit bureaus. Beginning 1/31/09, the credit bureaus must make an electronic or Internet method available to place a security freeze on your credit files. Credit bureaus charge a $5 fee to place or temporarily lift a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report or a police case number documenting the identity theft, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency must be included to avoid a fee.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Ohio	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Oklahoma	Jan. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims with investigative report. Placing first freeze and removing first freeze is free to seniors age 65 and older, but costs $10 to add and remove subsequent freezes, and $10 to temporarily lift any freeze. All others pay $10 to place freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee to place or remove a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft or are at least 65 years old, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Oregon	Oct. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fee for identity theft victims. $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee, unless you are a victim who sends a copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Pennsylvania	Jan. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. Placing and removing a freeze is free to seniors aged 65 and older, but they must pay $10 to temporarily lift it. All others pay $10 to place the freeze and $10 to lift it temporarily. No fee to remove the freeze.	To place a freeze, you must send by certified mail a letter to each consumer reporting agency requesting a security freeze be placed on your account. In this letter you must provide identifying information and a $10 fee, but, if you are a victim or, you must also include a copy of your police report to avoid a charge paying a $10 fee. Those 65 and older also do not need to pay to place a security freeze. (In the future, it will be possible to place a freeze through a secure electronic connection, likely by sending an e-mail on the consumer reporting agency's Web site.)	Security freeze automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Rhode Island	Jan. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims or seniors aged 65 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee to place or remove a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft or are more than 65 years old, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your investigative report or complaint from a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
South Carolina	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
South Dakota	July 1, 2006	Identity theft victims with a valid police report	No fees	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. You must provide identifying information, and proof that you are a victim of identity theft. A copy of your police report is required to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Only freezes credit report and automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Tennessee	1-Jan-08	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $7.50 to place the freeze, no fee to lift it temporarily, and $5 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Each credit bureau charges a $5 fee, unless the fee is waived because you are an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees,) you must send a copy of a police or other official document showing the identity theft.	Permanent freeze; ;remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Texas	Sept.1, 2003 for identity theft victims; Sept. 1, 2007 for all consumers	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All other consumers pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether. $12 to lift the freeze temporarily for a specific creditor.	To place a freeze, you must write to one of the three credit bureaus listed below. Each credit bureau charges a $10 fee, unless the fee is waived because you an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees,) you must send a copy of a report of alleged identity fraud or an "identity theft passport" -- a document from the state attorney general's office that verifies your identity has been stolen -- to each of the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Utah	Sept. 1, 2008	All consumers	Utahs law allows credit bureaus to charge reasonable fees, without specifying the amount that can be charged.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a reasonable fee, unless the fee is waived because you are a victim. To prove you are a victim and avoid fees, you must send a copy of a police report to the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer. Consumers will be able to temporarily lift or "thaw" the freeze within 15 minutes of electronic request.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Vermont	July 1, 2006	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $5 to lift it temporarily and $5 to remove it altogether.	To place a security freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. You must provide identifying information. If you have been an ID theft victim, you must provide proof that you have been a victim of identity theft. A copy of your police report (or DMV investigation report) of identity theft can be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
Virginia	No state law
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Washington	July 24, 2005 for identity theft victims; Sept. 1, 2008 for all consumers	Currently applies to identity theft victims, including persons who receive a notice of a security breach of computerized personal information. Beginning Sept. 1, 2008, all consumers will be eligible.	No fees for identity theft victims or seniors aged 65 years and older. Once all other consumers become eligible in September 2008, they will pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.	Write to each of the three major credit reporting agencies requesting a credit report security freeze. In your letter, you should include information to prove your identity, including your full name, Social Security number, address and birth date. Must include a police report until September 2008.	Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Washington, D.C.	July 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, but no fees to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether.	You must write to each of the three credit bureaus. The initial placement of the freeze costs $10 for non victims but it is free for victims. Though the law does not state whether identity theft victims must have proof of their status as victims, the consumer reporting agencies will likely require proof of a police report, investigative report or some similar report identifying yourself as a victim.	Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
West Virginia	July 2, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, $5 to lift it temporarily, and $5 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write by certified or overnight mail to each of the three credit bureaus. Beginning 1/31/09, the credit bureaus must make an electronic or Internet method available to place a security freeze on your credit files. Credit bureaus charge a $5 fee to place or remove a security freeze, unless you provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft, in which case there is no fee. A copy of your police report or an investigative report or written FTC complaint documenting identity theft must be included to avoid a fee.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Wisconsin	Jan. 1, 2007	All consumers	No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place freeze, $10 to temporarily lift, and $10 to remove the freeze altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. You must provide identifying information. If you are a victim of identity theft, you must provide proof that you are a victim of identity theft. Proof includes reports to law enforcement agencies concerning identity theft. All others must pay a $10 charge.	Permanent freeze; remains until removal requested by consumer.
STATE	When effective	Eligibility	Fees	How to place freeze	How long?
Wyoming	July 1, 2007	All consumers	No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $10 to lift it temporarily, and $10 to remove it altogether.	To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Each credit bureau charges a $10 fee, unless the fee is waived because you are a victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees,) you must send a copy of a police report to each of the credit bureaus.	Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer. Requires electronic and telephone methods to lift, imposes the 15 minute lift time frame starting Sept. 1, 2008.
Sources: Individual state Web sites, Consumer's Union. Last update: Oct. 30, 2007. Report a change to editors@creditcards.com

Published: October 26, 2007

Comments or questions, Story archive

Three most recent Legal, regulatory, privacy issues stories:

Capital One must repay $340,000 to bankrupt debtors – Capital One must repay $340,000 to credit card users because the company collected old debts that had been discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. ...
Wells Fargo forges deal that nixes Wachovia-Citi purchase – Four days after Citi announced a government-backed purchase of some Wachovia Bank assets, Wells Fargo Bank has announced a deal to merge with Wachovia. ...
Crisis survival tips: Pay off debt, cut credit card spending – Experts advise credit card users to pay down credit card debt and wean themselves off of credit card spending. ...