Security Freeze Offered On Credit Files To Help Combat Identity Theft

  • Sep 24, 2007

Starting on October 15, TransUnion will begin offering consumers in all 50 states the ability to freeze access to their credit files. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia have passed laws enabling consumers to request a security freeze.

"A security freeze is a powerful tool that enables consumers to prevent identity thieves from damaging their credit records," said Gail Hillebrand, Director of Consumers Union's Financial Privacy Now campaign. "All consumers deserve the right to a low-cost security freeze that makes it easy to prevent crooks from opening fraudulent accounts."

Every day, an average of 27,000 Americans have their identities stolen. In one-third of those cases, crooks use the information to open new accounts in their victim's name. Armed with just your Social Security number, a thief can open fraudulent accounts and start charging away, leaving you with a damaged credit record, which may take years to repair.

A security freeze gives you the choice to "freeze" or lock access to your credit file against anyone trying to open up a new account or to get new credit in your name. When a security freeze is in place at all three major credit bureaus, an identity thief cannot open a new account in your name because the potential creditor or seller of services will not be able to check your credit. When you are applying for credit, you can lift the freeze temporarily using a PIN so legitimate applications for credit or services can be processed.

TransUnion has announced that it will provide the security freeze at no charge to identity theft victims and charge non-victims $10 to initiate a freeze and $10 to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether. The states with the most consumer-friendly security freeze laws typically charge just $5 to initiate the protection. TransUnion has indicated that it will meet or exceed the requirements of those laws.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.