Via Delegate Eric Bromwell:

Beginning in January 2008, a new Maryland law will give consumers the tools to secure their personal credit information. The law allows consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports. This blocks valuable ID information from use by the ID thieves to open lines of credit or purchase goods under the victim’s name. Let’s face it; businesses are not likely to extend credit to anyone without first looking at a credit report. The security freeze offers consumers a way to prevent ID theft, instead of just being left to clean up the damage after the ID theft has occurred.

Security freezes, supported by consumer groups and AARP, have been enacted in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Under the new law, consumers may request a security freeze by certified mail to the three major credit agencies – Equifax, Experian and Transunion. The agency must place the freeze within five business days and provide the consumer with written confirmation, a personal ID number and information about procedures for requesting a temporary lift or removal of the freeze by the consumer. While the freeze is in place, any information contained in the credit report cannot be released without the consumer’s prior authorization. The agency may charge a consumer up to a $10 fee for the freeze placement, temporary lift or removal. No fees will be charged to ID theft victims.

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