News and Articles

Phony IRS email identity theft scam Kansas City Online (November 12, 2007)
The e-mail asks recipients for personal financial information such as Social Security numbers and debit card information
Montanans locking credit reports Helena Independent Record (November 6, 2007)
More and more consumers are taking advantage of security freeze protection
Feds issue new rules for combating ID theft Reuters (October 31, 2007)
New rules are designed to detect "red flags" when consumers are at risk of fraud.
Credit bureaus offer freeze protection Columbus Dispatch (November 1, 2007)
Starting November 1, consumers can freeze their credit files at all three major credit bureaus to prevent identity thieves from opening accounts in their names.
To freeze or not to freeze your credit USA Today (October 9, 2007)
For people who worry about identity theft, a credit freeze is a lot like the impenetrable deadbolt.
Credit lockdown privileges spread USA Today (October 5, 2007)
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion have announced they will let people in all 50 states freeze their credit histories.
Second credit bureau offers file freeze Washington Post (October 4, 2007)
Consumer credit reporting bureau Experian announced that it would allow consumers in all 50 states to freeze their credit histories.
Consumers score the right to freeze credit USA Today (September 21, 2007)
TransUnion announces it will offer the security freeze in all 50 states
TransUnion to offer credit freeze in all 50 states Washington Post (September 19, 2007)
Pressure builds on Equifax and Experian to meet or exceed TransUnion’s plan
Credit bureaus fight consumer-ordered freezes USA Today (June 26, 2007)
More states are ordering the credit bureaus to make it easier for consumers to ban anyone from viewing their credit files.
Grave robbery: Stop identity theft of the dead MSNBC (May 9, 2007)
Tips to keep deceased love ones' credit private and protected.
ID theft task force recommends tougher laws Computerworld (April 23, 2007)
White House panel backs national law enforcement effort, less use of Social Security numbers by government agencies.
Protecting your identity at tax time New Orleans Times Picayune (April 1, 2007)
Tax time offers another round of chances to the name-robbing set.
Montanans may have new tool to stop identity theft Billings Gazette (March 27, 2007)
A bill that allows consumers to block use of their credit information is on its way to Gov. Brian Schweitzer's desk.
New Ohio bill would help identity theft victims WBNS-TV, Ohio (March 13, 2007)
A new bill would give Ohioans more direct control of their credit files
FTC findings undercut industry claims that ID theft is declining Consumer Affairs (February 9, 2007)
Identity theft tops the list of consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission.
Putting a freeze on identity theft Washington Post (February 8, 2007)
Consumers need the power to freeze crooks out of credit files.
Indiana House passes ID theft protection plan Indiana Business (February 8, 2007)
Proposed legislation allows consumers to prevent access to their consumer credit files.
Hacking brings ID theft to the forefront Concord Monitor (February 4, 2007)
Just as state laws aimed at protecting consumers from ID theft went into effect, another data security breach was announced.
Montana bill to deter identity theft advances Billings Gazette (January 26, 2006)
A bill giving Montanans the right to freeze access to their credit reports to block criminals from stealing their identity will go before the state Senate.
Stolen TJ Maxx cards being used CNN (January 25, 2006)
Fraudulent purchases using credit- and debit-card data stolen from cut-price retailer TJX, the owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, have surfaced in several states.
More banks offer free help for victims of identity theft USA Today (January 19, 2006)
A number of community banks and credit unions are joining insurers and a few major banks in offering customers free identity theft recovery service.
Washington State data breach victims can freeze their credit files Seattle Post Intelligencer (December 13, 2006)
Washington residents whose personal information was stored on a stolen Boeing laptop can take steps to protect themselves.
New law seeks to freeze identity thieves Pittsburgh Post Gazette (January 4, 2007)
If you don't like the idea of buying presents for criminals, Pennsylvania lawmakers unwrapped a welcome gift for you this holiday season.
Wisconsin security freeze starts January 1 Wisconsin State Journal (December 23, 2006)
Wisconsin consumers will have a new tool for fending off identity theft.
New swipe cards could make ID theft easier ABC News (October 24, 2006)
They may make shopping faster and easier, but some computer experts warn they may also make ID theft easier, too.
Identity theft: It could happen to anyone Seattle Times (September 28, 2006)
Washington state officials are working to raise awareness about the growing incidence of identity theft.
Guest Opinion: Have you had your identity stolen yet? Billings Gazette (September 16, 2006)
Montana consumers will have a way to stop thieves from opening fraudulent accounts using stolen information if state lawmakers pass a security freeze law.
Students fretting over lost data Denver Post (August 2, 2006)
UPS recently lost a computer tape with names and personal details of 188,000 college students, most from Colorado.
Bill would limit consumers’ credit rights USA Today (June 15, 2006)
Congress is considering pre-empting laws in 17 states that allow anyone to freeze their own credit and instead restrict the privilege to ID theft victims.

Consumers Union Press Releases

Some states making ID theft protection easier
It's becoming easier in some states to use the security freeze to prevent crooks from ruining credit records

Alaska governor signs strong new ID theft law
New law includes toughest restrictions on collection and sale of Social Security numbers in the U.S.

CU says Social Security numbers need protection
Widespread use and availability of Social Security numbers puts Americans at risk of ID theft

FTC: 8.3 million identity theft victims in U.S.
Report shows need for tougher identity theft protections

ID theft freeze available nationwide on Nov. 1
Consumers Union offers guide to freezing access to credit files to thwart ID thieves

Powerful ID theft protection goes nationwide
All three credit bureaus will offer "security freeze" protection in all 50 states by November 1

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