Consumer Protection News

Oregon Identity Theft Protection Act Goes Into Effect October 1, 2007

Today, Oregon consumers gain a new tool to block identity thieves, as the Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act goes into effect. Oregonians now have the right to a security freeze on their credit reports to block thieves from opening fraudulent new credit accounts in the victim’s name.

The Act also requires businesses and other data dealers to safeguard information, protect social security numbers and notify consumers if the security of their personal information is compromised.

“Victims of identity theft spend thousands of dollars and countless hours trying to restore their good names,” said Laura Etherton, OSPIRG advocate. “Now, Oregon consumers have a new tool to fight identity theft.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Oregon ranks 13 th in the nation for identity theft. Fueling this trend is the unfettered access to credit reports, which makes it easy for thieves to use personal information to open fraudulent credit accounts. Many victims find out months or years later that a thief has opened a new credit card, signed up for a new cell phone plan, or opened a new account in the victim’s name. The Federal Trade Commission estimates a thief absconds with more $10,000 through each incidence of new account fraud.

“Oregon consumers can now gain more control over who has access to their credit reports,” said Etherton. “By placing a security freeze, consumers can block thieves from opening fraudulent accounts in their name.”

A security freeze protects a credit report with a passcode, similar to an ATM PIN, which the consumer uses to grant access to the report. A freeze doesn’t interfere with existing accounts; it only blocks unauthorized new accounts. The freeze is free for victims of identity theft, but Oregon law allows the Credit Reporting Agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) to charge other consumers a maximum of $10 to place the freeze, and each time consumers want to temporarily lift the freeze to apply for credit.

Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) is a statewide non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocate. Fact sheets on preventing identity theft and more information about the security freeze are available at www.ospirg.org