Georgia ranks among the ten states in identity theft crimes, and in August 2008, an Act, the consumer, a credit freeze to prevent identity theft and fraud or stop identity theft and fraud crimes. Since over 15% of identity theft cases, the new accounting fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission, monitoring new accounts is essential in the prevention of identity theft. This law also imposes a limit on the price of credit reporting agencies may charge Georgia residents for this service at $ 3.00. The bill was first introduced by the State Rep. Rob Teilhet early 2006.

While 40 other states have some form of credit freeze laws on the books, the new Georgia law is unique in many ways. Many states offer this service but at $ 10.00 a pop, and some are as high as $ 15.00 each. "" It's so low cost, "said Georgia Watch spokeswoman Allison Lang. , Order the service, Georgia residents have been advised to send a letter to each of the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TRANS UNION (their addresses are for your reference at the end of this article).

However, credit freezes in George are not child's play: Consumers are asked to proceed as follows: Send $ 3.00 for each Credit Agency; send any letter by certified mail, name, address, date of birth, social security number, a copy of a government id card like a driver's license or military id; A copy of the invoices or bank or insurance statement. This list is very specific, and alternatives are not accepted. Under the new Georgia identity theft prevention law, you can find a free credit freeze if you are older than those older than 65 or you are a victim of identity theft and may request a copy of a police report.

Another unique feature of the new Georgia law is the possibility of an online temporary "thaw" that allow consumers to apply for the loan immediately, or a permanent thaw (credit freeze removal) should be only 15 minutes, to become effective. Consumers with a PIN, personal identification number, which can be used online or over the phone. "Georgia is the first state to roll-out of the 15-minute thaw," said Lang. Several other states are Georgia, and with a version of the thaw begins in September 2008.

Howard Clark, a radio talk show host and board member of the Georgia Watch consumer watchdog group that has the action ":" The best credit freeze law in the United States. "

President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia, Kelvin Collins, so the law provides big benefits for the residents. "" There is really no way to completely prevent identity theft, but the ability to freeze your credit card safely, reduces the risk, "he said. Collins acknowledges that the credit freeze is easier to use than some others. It can be cumbersome for young consumers who are shopping or a house or car, but he adds: "If you're older and you've got a house and you have a car, then it is a big plus. "

Addresses for the 3 Main Credit Reporting Agencies:

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

TRANS UNION fraud victim assistance for the department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834

Lisa Carey is a contributing author Identity Theft Secrets: prevention and protection. You get tips for protecting against identity theft, software, and monitoring your credit as well as more about the secrets, the identity thieves at the Identity Theft Secrets blog.