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Sunday, November 8th 2009


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?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
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?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?
STATE
When effective
Eligibility
Fees
How to place freeze
How long?

Sources: Individual state Web sites, Consumer's Union. Last update: Oct. 30, 2007.
Report a change to editors@creditcards.com

Published: October 26, 2007

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