Consumer Blog
Missouri might let you freeze your credit file
For ID theft prevention
Three different Missouri lawmakers have filed bills to do this. The idea is to prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts using your name. About half the states have a law like this. It freezes your credit file. Here is one of the bills. Rep. Paul LeVota has one that's almost identical, and Sen. Tim Green has one that's a bit different.
In theory, it works like this: let's say a thief, armed with your Social Security #, goes to open a new account in your name. The lender tries to check your credit, and he can't see it because the file's frozen. So that fraudulent account he was hoping to open never gets created.
It's one of the few laws that would be aimed at prevention. Most are aimed at solving problems after the fact: punishing crooks, notification of data breaches, availability of credit reports, etc.
About half the states have a credit freeze law, all passed in the last 2 or 3 years. The bill would also let you unfreeze your credit, so you can open an account when you need to. So far none of the three bills has had a committee hearing, which is the first step in the process.
Technorati Tags: Missouri, credit check, credit file, credit freeze, id theft, identity theft, legislation, moagoconsumer, consumer protection
Posted by on February 27, 2007 2:55 pm :: Comments (11) :: Permalink
11 Responses to "Missouri might let you freeze your credit file"
says:
June 15, 2007 6:08 pm
At the present time with companies advancing credit to applicants without requiring identification, the state must alow citizens to protect themselves
says:
July 10, 2007 9:20 pm
I am a victim of idenity theft. I have excellent credit but when a thief opens a dozen accounts in your name on-line and you start receiveing bills for items you did not purchase you start looking for ways to stop the thief. So far not much has been done except a ton of paperwork on my part trying to undo what the thief has done. It seems he has more protection that I do. We need this law in Missouri which will allow a law abiding citizen to protect his name and good credit history from these thieves.
says:
July 12, 2007 1:01 pm
I have never been a victim of identiy theft but feel it is only a matter of time. I know folks that are as careful or more careful than I am with shredding documents, checking their credit reports, etc only to become victims by sloppy vendors exposing their personal information. Missouri needs this law so citizens can protect themselves.
says:
July 13, 2007 10:03 am
Like others, i am a victim of identity theft. I am extremely careful with all my personal information. After reading about a "credit freeze" in consumer reports, i began to look online to freeze my credit. I was shocked (kinda) to find out that as a resident of Missouri, i could not freeze my credit. We desperately need this law to allow citizens the opportunity to proactively protect themselves. I'm sure it is easier and more cost effective for the government to allow citzens to protect themselves than clean up the aftermath once the damage is done.
says:
July 21, 2007 9:39 am
I fully agree with the earlier comments. Identity theft is recognized as a viable threat and when it does strike an individual the results can be catastrophic. I canNOT imagine why the AG's office would not be putting strong pressure on the legislature (both houses) to enact the House proposed bill ASAP. I would appreciate some feedback on what is being done to make this a near term reality.
says:
July 23, 2007 9:24 am
The most effective pressure on the legislature comes from citizens. I always tell consumers if this issue is important to you, whether it's No Call improvements, payday loans or credit freezes, let your State Representative and State Senator know.
Find your legislators here.
says:
August 7, 2007 9:35 pm
As a retired employee of the University, my credit file is at risk due to the recent hijacking of the University employee records. Freezing my file would be the simplest and safest method of protecting my financial identity. I'm emailing my legislators now.
says:
August 10, 2007 11:57 pm
I am outraged that Missouri proves itself to be an anti consumer state when it comes to providing protection to its citizens with a subject as serious as identity theft. 30 states are on board with their consumer protection and once again Missouri is left in the dust.
I cannot express it enough...write your legislators! Let them know this IS important.
says:
October 4, 2007 1:51 pm
One of only 11 states that do not offer their residents this protection? Come on Missouri, this is a no-brainer.
You need to get this one passed ASAP. Give us the ability to freeze our credit and protect ourselves!
To quote Nike - "JUST DO IT!"
says:
June 4, 2008 10:44 am
I hope that the lawmakers involved in getting a bill passed to make freezing your information available to Missourians will not drag their feet and put this is place asap.
says:
June 4, 2008 11:24 am
Update: Missouri passed a credit freeze bill in the 2008 legislative session.
