10/16/2015 01:45 PM EDT
Effective October 15, 2015 Maine consumers have the right to place a file freeze on their credit report with each of the three major reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - at no cost.
A file freeze is a means to restrict access to credit reports in order to safeguard the information. It does not affect one's credit score, nor prevent the individual from obtaining a free annual credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com).
A freeze also doesn't prevent the individual from opening new credit accounts or taking other actions, such as applying for a job, that may require a credit check. However, the freeze may need to be lifted temporarily or for a particular individual or company, in order for the report to be reviewed.
"In light of recent large-scale data breaches, Maine consumers should be aware of this new law," said David Leach, principal examiner with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. "Unlike previous data breaches in which only credit card information was stolen, recent incidents involved loss of personal information - including Social Security numbers, dates of birth and street addresses - that could easily permit identity thieves to apply for credit, government benefits or housing in our names. Credit cards can easily be canceled and replaced, but much of our personal information remains unchanged for our entire lives."
To activate a file freeze, Maine consumers can contact the three major national credit reporting agencies by phone, on-line or by mail. All three credit reporting agencies have been contacted by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection and are aware of Maine's new file freeze law. Contact information is as follows:
Equifax: 1-800-349-9960 www.freeze.equifax.com Equifax PO Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com/freeze/center.html Experian PO Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872 www.transunion.com/securityfreeze Trans Union PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022
Leach indicated that for most consumers the easiest way to place a security freeze is likely by telephone. It may take less than 15 minutes to place freezes with all three credit reporting agencies. The calls are received by automated centers, and consumers use touch-tone pads to provide their Social Security number, date of birth, zip code, and partial address.
Within two weeks, consumers should receive a file freeze confirmation letter complete with a personal identification number, or PIN, for their use to unlock their credit file when they are applying for credit.
Parents wishing to apply a freeze in the case of children under the age of 16 who do not already have a credit file, may be required to pay $10 per freeze. Equifax, however, has told state regulators it is waiving that fee.
More information is available by contacting the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at 1-800-332-8529.
A file freeze is a means to restrict access to credit reports in order to safeguard the information. It does not affect one's credit score, nor prevent the individual from obtaining a free annual credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com).
A freeze also doesn't prevent the individual from opening new credit accounts or taking other actions, such as applying for a job, that may require a credit check. However, the freeze may need to be lifted temporarily or for a particular individual or company, in order for the report to be reviewed.
"In light of recent large-scale data breaches, Maine consumers should be aware of this new law," said David Leach, principal examiner with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. "Unlike previous data breaches in which only credit card information was stolen, recent incidents involved loss of personal information - including Social Security numbers, dates of birth and street addresses - that could easily permit identity thieves to apply for credit, government benefits or housing in our names. Credit cards can easily be canceled and replaced, but much of our personal information remains unchanged for our entire lives."
To activate a file freeze, Maine consumers can contact the three major national credit reporting agencies by phone, on-line or by mail. All three credit reporting agencies have been contacted by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection and are aware of Maine's new file freeze law. Contact information is as follows:
Equifax: 1-800-349-9960 www.freeze.equifax.com Equifax PO Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com/freeze/center.html Experian PO Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872 www.transunion.com/securityfreeze Trans Union PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022
Leach indicated that for most consumers the easiest way to place a security freeze is likely by telephone. It may take less than 15 minutes to place freezes with all three credit reporting agencies. The calls are received by automated centers, and consumers use touch-tone pads to provide their Social Security number, date of birth, zip code, and partial address.
Within two weeks, consumers should receive a file freeze confirmation letter complete with a personal identification number, or PIN, for their use to unlock their credit file when they are applying for credit.
Parents wishing to apply a freeze in the case of children under the age of 16 who do not already have a credit file, may be required to pay $10 per freeze. Equifax, however, has told state regulators it is waiving that fee.
More information is available by contacting the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at 1-800-332-8529.
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