Mark's Notebook

Credit freeze can halt ID theft

San Jose Mercury News

If you're a Californian, you can freeze your credit so crooks can't open new accounts in your name. While that provides peace of mind, it also comes with some costs: Anytime consumers want to sign up for a new cell phone, get a new credit card or engage in a number of activities involving a credit check, they have to "unfreeze" their credit.

You won't be able to do that at the register. The process of "thawing" your credit can take up to three days -- and $10 for each period of time you want it unsealed.

The freeze law went into effect Jan. 1, 2004. It's different than a fraud alert, which also is filed with credit bureaus but only suggests to creditors that they take additional steps to verify someone's identity.

A credit freeze means no more instant credit card discounts at the department store, nor quick financing at a car dealership.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/11381363.htm

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Last updated Monday 3 August 2009