News and Articles

ID theft is the number one consumer complaint Fox Business News (February 14, 2008)
Identity theft was the No. 1 fraud complaint according to the Federal Trade Commission.
New law fights ID theft Baltimore Sun (December 9, 2007)
A new Maryland law gives consumers a powerful tool - at very little cost - to fight identity theft.
Don’t let identity thieves wreck your holiday Chicago Tribune (December 9, 2007)
Holiday shoppers are out in full force, and so are identity thieves.
Credit report freeze can stop identity theft Arizona Republic (November 25, 2007)
Consumers nationwide now have access to a powerful tool that thwarts identity theft
Keep identity thieves out in the cold CNN (November 26, 2007)
A key shield against identity theft is now available nationwide
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.
Equifax to start security freeze on October 31 Atlanta Journal Constitution (October 25, 2007)
Consumers nationwide who want to freeze their Equifax credit reports from unauthorized access will have that option starting Oct. 31.
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 freeze blocks thieves Akron Beacon Journal (October 7, 2007)
Consumer advocates say Ohio needs law making identity theft safeguard affordable and easy to use.
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
New weapon against identity theft Newsday (July 20, 2007)
37 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing consumers to freeze access to credit files.
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.
Legislators should let consumers freeze credit reports Arizona Republic (January 7, 2007)
Lawmakers can give people an important tool to protect themselves from identity theft.
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.
Regulators want new ID theft measures for banks Orlando Sentinel (July 21, 2006)
The Federal Reserve unveiled a set of proposals that would require financial institutions to take detailed measures to prevent identity theft.
The end of privacy The Record (July 2, 2006)
Nearly every day, a new headline tells of Americans' private information being stolen by criminals.
ID theft bill would preempt stronger state laws Newhouse News (June 22, 2006)
One identity theft bill being considered in Congress would undermine many stronger laws adopted by states around the country.
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.
Vets still in dark about details of data theft Seattle Post Intelligencer (June 2, 2006)
Veterans in at least a dozen states, including Washington, might be able to prevent criminal use of the data under local measures enacted last year.
GAO says VA not alone in data carelessness USA Today (May 24, 2006)
It isn't just Veterans Affairs. Personal information about Americans isn't safeguarded properly throughout the government.
Thieves steal personal data on 26.5 million vets Associated Press (May 22, 2006)
Thieves took sensitive personal information on 26.5 million U.S. veterans from the home a Veterans Affairs employee.
Is ID theft insurance worth it? MSNBC (May 8, 2006)
While the cost of identity theft insurance may seem reasonable, the benefits are usually very limited.
The anti-identity theft bill that isn’t Wired News (April 20, 2006)
Congress is debating proposals to protect consumers against identity theft, but some measures would undue tougher laws adopted by many states.
Critics call House bill a step in erosion of consumer laws San Francisco Chronicle (March 23, 2006)
The House Financial Services Committee approved a bill that would kill California's new, tougher requirements that protect consumers from identity theft.
Anti-ID theft measure lets consumers freeze credit accounts Arizona Daily Star (March 11, 2006)
Consumers Union says Arizonans would pay too much for the proposed "security freeze."
Security breach fallout reaches 200,000 debit card holders San Francisco Chronicle (Feb. 10, 2006)
Companies are still hiding their data security breaches despite law's intent to bring accountability
Editorial: Credit protection St. Petersburg Times (January 17, 2006)
The Florida state legislature should create an optional security freeze so Floridians can protect themselves against identity theft and credit card fraud.
State's New ID Theft law takes effect this week TryOnDailyBulletin.com (Dec. 5, 2005)
North Carolina's security freeze law available to all consumers
Shredding Identity Theft New Jersey Press (Nov 27, 2005)
New Jersey's consumers get credit freeze January 1, 2006
Identity theft legislation provides easy way out Houston Chronicle (November 8, 2005)
A business columnist expresses his views on a current House bill, the Data Accountability and Trust Act
Agencies warn of scam artists after hurricanes The Houston Chronicle (October 6, 2005)
Hurricanes may cause surge in identity theft
Survey: ID theft takes time to wipe clean USA Today (July 28, 2005)
Victims of identity theft are finding there is no quick fix to clearing their names.
ID theft – Bank finds a way to profit San Francisco Chronicle (July 22, 2005)
Data security breaches at Wells Fargo have put hundreds of thousands of customers at risk of identity theft. Now the bank has found a way to profit from the problem.
ID theft: The odds are increasing that it could hit you CNN/Money (July 18, 2005)
The personal data of nearly 50 million Americans have been exposed this year. As many as one in six people are now vulnerable to identity theft.
Connecticut Governor signs ID theft law Insurance Journal (July 10, 2005)
Under a new law signed by Governor M. Jodi Rell, consumers in Connecticut will have the right to put a security freeze on their credit files to prevent identity thieves from opening new credit accounts in their names.
ID theft law to take effect in Vermont Times Argus (July 10, 2005)
Vermonters who become the victims of identity theft can stop the financial bleeding by putting a freeze on their credit reports, under a new state law.
Attorneys General seek answers from credit card company over data exposure San Diego Union Tribune (June 27, 2005)
The attorneys general of 44 states demanded Tuesday that the credit card processor responsible for a breach that exposed 40 million cardholders to possible fraud inform affected consumers about the risk.
Feds lag on ID theft notification CBS News (June 28, 2005)
While California requires companies to notify consumers about data security breaches and an increasing number of states are passing similar laws, Congress still hasn’t enacted a federal notice requirement.
Cardholders kept in dark after breach Washington Post (June 23, 2005)
Some banks decline to tell customers whether accounts were compromised.
40 million credit cards hacked CNN (June 17, 2005)
Over 40 million card accounts were exposed to potential fraud due to a security breach that occurred at a third-party processor of payment card transactions.
Your identity for sale CNN (May 9, 2005)
From credit bureaus to grocers to unscrupulous brokers, there’s a healthy trade in your good name.
Lexis-Nexis theft much worse than thought MSNBC (April 12, 2005)
Lexis-Nexis now concedes that as many as 310,000 people – or ten times more than previously reported – may have had their personal information compromised as a result of a recent database security breach.
'Pharmers' hit online bank users with fraud scam USA Today (Apr. 22, 2005)
The ploy is called pharming — a play on "phishing," another type of Internet fraud — and it involves highly skilled hackers who secretly redirect users' computers from financial sites to the scammers' fake ones, where they steal passwords and other personal information. Even the Web address looks the same.
1.4 million exposed in shoe data breach MSNBC News (Apr. 18, 2005)
Thieves who accessed a DSW Shoe Warehouse database obtained 1.4 million credit card numbers and the names on those accounts — 10 times more than the company estimated last month.
EDITORIAL: Is that you? Washington Post (Apr. 14, 2005)
10 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year and the annual cost to the economy comes to $50 billion. The first line of defense against identity theft must come from individuals.
States scramble to protect data Washington Post (April 9, 2005)
Lawmakers in numerous states around the country are considering bills to give consumers the right to put a security freeze on their credit files to keep identity thieves from opening new accounts in their names.
Is your personal data next? MSNBC (April 4, 2005)
The recent rash of data security breaches has put an estimated two million Americans at risk of identity theft and underscored the need for stronger consumer safeguards.
Social Security numbers widely available Washington Post (April 3, 2005)
Despite public outcry over recent identity theft scandals, Social Security numbers remain widely available to would-be crooks.
Editorial: Freeze identity theft Seattle Times (March 15, 2005)
The Seattle Times editorializes in favor of legislation to allow Washington State residents to put a security freeze on their credit files to thwart identity thieves.
Information Companies and Identity Theft NPR All Things Considered (March 12, 2005)
A recent spate of identity theft from information companies prompted hearings on Capitol Hill. Gail Hillebrand of Consumers Union tells Jacki Lyden what sort of personal data information companies such as Choicepoint and Lexis/Nexis collect -- and how they use it.
Privacy Showdown - Forbes (August 11, 2004)
Financial industry trade groups have gone to court to try to stop a California law that gives consumers new rights to protect their financial privacy. The outcome of the court fight will decide the fate of the strictest state privacy law on the books and whether federal law preempts such state laws.
EDITORIAL: A bank raid - San Francisco Chronicle (August 16, 2004)
After enduring years of debate, California consumers secured an important protection this year: their personal financial information belongs to them, not their bank, their broker, or their insurer.
Mailbox Theft: Your Junkmail Could Be Someone's Jackpot - WIBW-TV, Channel 13, Topeka Kansas (Feb. 5, 2004)
Rates of rural mail theft his risen dramaticly, which may be fuling an identity theft spree in the country.

Consumers Union Press Releases

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

TransUnion offering security freeze nationwide
Consumer groups call on Experian and Equifax to meet or exceed TransUnion's plan.

CR Poll: Americans want identity theft protections
Consumer Reports poll finds 89% of Americans want lawmakers to restrict use of Social Security numbers

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