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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.