On Oct. 1, 2007, Oregon consumers gained a new tool to block identity thieves, as the Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act went 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.”
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.
Learn more about how you can set up a freeze.
