CREDIT FREEZE in VIRGINIA: GET ON BOARD

[NOVA86]

Hello everyone.

Don't know if this forum will delete this message but this subject matter is important...

Did you know that VIRGINIA does not currently allow its residents to freeze their own personal credit files (whether temporarily or semi-permanently) to prevent identity theft?

Briefly...this subject is "in session" in the 2007 Virginia Assembly session. Our Virginia delegates are actually "thinking about" whether or not to allow VA residents this right. 23 other states have already given its residents the option to freeze their credit should they so desire.

I am putting this information on a VA-related Web site hoping to get the word out. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the WORLD, period. Over 3.4million people have suffered this crime. If you're not already familiar please read the link here (washingtonpost.com: Identity Crisis) and get a gut wrenching feel of what I'm writing about.

Please act. Please share this information with other VA residents so that we can get the bill passed that will at the very least ALLOW Virginia residents to protect themselves somewhat.

THANKS!

[Recoil]

So if I put a freeze on my credit report, how would that stop identity theft? Would I not be eligible for new credit until I removed the freeze?

Would creditors not be able to update my report when it's frozen?

Just curious about the logistics.

Steve

[NOVA86]

Hi Steve.
In response to your inquiry regarding credit freeze info...

A credit freeze is simply a freeze that blocks anyone from taking out any new credit in your name. So if your identity (social security number, etc.) were stolen or lost, no one could "become you" financially. Once you place a freeze on your credit (by contacting each of the 3 credit bureaus seperately) by law they have to freeze it, meaning, only YOU can take out credit in your own name and no one else.

Check out noscamnc.gov. This site will explain it simply. The Governor of North Carolina ushered in the right of all residents of that state to be able to freeze their credit after hearing of that recent security breach where a laptop was stolen containing the names, addresses, and social security numbers of military veterans.

Again, the freeze would just give more control over a person's credit files from fraud. It does NOT mean one can't lift the freeze temporarily when applying for a mortgage, auto loan, etc. (But how often each year do most apply for credit anyway?) It's a simple thing yet Virginia lags behind on the issue. California was one of the first to protect its residents after seeing such a rise in this "new" crime.

Please write our Virginia Governor and Delegates on their Web sites, respectively.

I hope you read the article I attached to the post as well. It's sickening.

Thanks for reading. PLEASE ACT. A simple e-mail to all your VA acquaintences would be lovely. Make sure to send the article. :-)

[NOVA86]

Also check this out:
(It gives the list of states that have already passed credit freeze laws and more info.)

State Security Freeze Laws