Credit Freeze Applications Process By State

Overview

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws requiring the credit bureaus to enable consumers to protect their credit files with a security freeze.

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Credit Freezes Are Now Available In All Other States

Starting November 1, 2007, the security freeze has been be offered voluntarily by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to consumers living in the states that have not yet adopted security freeze laws (Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri.) The freeze also will be available to all consumers in the four states with laws that limit this protection to identity theft victims only (Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, and South Dakota). As noted below, in order to effectively freeze access to your credit files, you must request the credit freeze at each three major credit bureaus.

Note: In order to freeze your credit, you are required to submit an application to all three national credit bureaus—TransUnion, Equifax and Experian—per the instructions for your state of residence. Right now (unlike in the fraud alert situation), freezing your credit at one credit bureau will not stop an identity theft who attempts to take out credit in your name at one of the other two credit bureaus.

Alabama

Alabama has not passed a credit freeze law. However, as of November 1, 2007, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion all made the freeze available voluntarily to Alabama residents.

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date: November 1, 2007 at all three major credit reporting agencies
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion


Alaska

Alaska has not passed a credit freeze law. However, as of November 1, 2007, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion all made the freeze available voluntarily to Alaska residents. In order to effectively freeze access to your credit files, you must request the credit freeze at all three major credit bureaus.

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date: November 1, 2007 at all three major credit reporting agencies
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion


Arizona (credit freeze established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with police reports. All others pay a $5 fee to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether. $5 PIN replacement fee.
Effective date of the law: August 31, 2008
Copy of Arizona’s security freeze law
Instructions for using Arizona's security freeze law

Before August 31, 2008, you may use the voluntary program.
Security Freeze Instructions for Equifax
Security Freeze Instructions for Experian
Security Freeze Instructions for TransUnion

Arkansas (credit freeze rights for identity theft victims established by state law)

Eligibility: Identity theft victims. As of November 1, 2007, the credit freeze is offered by all three major credit bureaus voluntarily to all consumers.
Fees: $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Arkansas’ credit freeze law
Instructions for using Arkansas’ credit freeze law

California (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift or remove the freeze; $12 fee to temporarily lift the freeze for a specific creditor.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2003
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of California’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using California’s credit freeze law

Colorado (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fee for the first freeze; $10 to lift the freeze temporarily, or to remove it altogether. $12 to temporarily lift the freeze for a specific creditor; $10 to place a second freeze.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Colorado’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Colorado’s credit freeze law from the Colorado Attorney General
Instructions for using Colorado’s credit freeze law

Connecticut (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether; $12 to lift it temporarily for a specific creditor
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Connecticut’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Connecticut’s credit freeze law

Delaware (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $20 to place the freeze, but no fees to lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: September 28, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Delaware’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Delaware’s credit freeze law

District of Columbia (credit freeze rights established by D.C. law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, but no fees to lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of the District of Columbia’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using the District of Columbia’s credit freeze law

Florida (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims and seniors 65 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Florida’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Florida’s credit freeze law

Georgia (credit freeze law becomes mandatory August 1, 2008)

Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with police reports. No fee for placement of the freeze for seniors 65 or older. All others pay a $3 fee to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: August 1, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Georgia’s security freeze law
Instructions for using Georgia's security freeze law

Before August 1, 2008, you may use the voluntary program.
Security Freeze Instructions for Equifax
Security Freeze Instructions for Experian
Security Freeze Instructions for TransUnion


Hawaii (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: Original law limited to identity theft victims was effective January 1, 2007. All consumers became eligible for the credit freeze on June 15, 2007.
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Hawaii’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Hawaii’s credit freeze law

Idaho (credit freeze law becomes mandatory July 1, 2008)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with police reports. All others pay a $6 fee to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether. $10 PIN replacement fee.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Idaho’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Idaho's credit freeze law

Until July 1, 2008, you may use the voluntary program.
Credit Freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit Freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit Freeze Instructions for TransUnion

Illinois (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with police reports and seniors 65 years and older. All others pay a $10 fee to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Illinois’ credit freeze law
Instructions for using Illinois’ credit freeze law

Indiana (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fee to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: September 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Indiana’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Indiana’s credit freeze law

Iowa

Iowa has not passed a credit freeze law. However, as of November 1, 2007, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion made the freeze available voluntarily to Iowa residents. In order to effectively freeze access to your credit files, you must request the credit freeze at all three major credit bureaus.

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date: November 1, 2007 at all three major credit reporting agencies
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion


Kansas (credit freeze rights for identity theft victims established by state law)

Eligibility: Identity theft victims only. As of November 1, 2007, the credit freeze option is offered by all three major credit bureaus voluntarily to all consumers.
Fees: No fees permitted by law for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Kansas’ credit freeze law
Instructions for using Kansas’ credit freeze law

Kentucky (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims who provide a police report. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether. $10 to have PIN reissued.
Effective date of the law: July 11, 2006
Note: Credit freeze automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
Copy of Kentucky’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Kentucky’s credit freeze law

Louisiana (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims or person aged 62 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, or $8 to lift it temporarily. No fee to remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2005
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Louisiana’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Louisiana’s credit freeze law

Maine (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims who provide a police report. All others pay up to $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether. $10 to have PIN reissued, and $12 to lift the freeze temporarily for a specific creditor.
Effective date of the law: February 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Maine’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Maine’s credit freeze law

Maryland (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims who provide report of alleged identity fraud or with an identity theft passport. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Maryland’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Maryland’s credit freeze law

Massachusetts (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims or victim's spouse. $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether
Effective date of the law: February 3, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Massachusetts’ credit freeze law
Instructions for using Massachusetts’ credit freeze law

Michigan

Michigan has not passed a credit freeze law. However, as of November 1, 2007, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion made the freeze available voluntarily to Michigan residents. In order to effectively freeze access to your credit files, you must request the credit freeze at all three major credit bureaus.

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date: November 1, 2007 at all three major credit reporting agencies
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion

Minnesota (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims who provide police report. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: August 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Minnesota’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Minnesota’s credit freeze law

Mississippi (credit freeze rights for identity theft victims established by state law)

Eligibility: Identity theft victims with a police report, investigative report or complaint filed with a law enforcement agency. As of November 1, 2007, the credit freeze option is available by all three major credit bureaus voluntarily to all consumers in Mississippi.
Fees: $10 to place a freeze for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Mississippi’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Mississippi’s credit freeze law

Missouri

Missouri has not passed a credit freeze law. However, as of November 1, 2007, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion made the freeze available voluntarily to Missouri residents. In order to effectively freeze access to your credit files, you must request the credit freeze at all three major credit bureaus.

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date: November 1, 2007 at all three major credit reporting agencies
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion

Montana (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $3 to place the freeze or to lift it temporarily. $5 to have PIN reissued. No fee to remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2007
Copy of Montana’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Montana’s credit freeze law from Montana’s Department of Justice
Instructions for using Montana’s credit freeze law

Nebraska (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims and minors. All others pay a one time $15 fee to place the freeze. No fee for lifting the freeze temporarily or removing it altogether.
Effective: September 1, 2007
Note: Credit freeze automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
Copy of Nebraska’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Nebraska’s credit freeze law

Nevada (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims who submit a police report. All others pay $15 to place the freeze, $18 to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether. $20 to lift it temporarily for a specific creditor.
Effective date of the law: October 1, 2005
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Nevada’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Nevada’s credit freeze law

New Hampshire (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims who submit a copy of a police report, investigative
report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Copy of New Hampshire’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using New Hampshire’s credit freeze law

New Jersey (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fee to place the first credit freeze. $5 fee to lift the freeze temporarily, remove it altogether, or to have PIN reissued.
Note: Consumers are also permitted to make such requests directly to consumer reporting
agencies via secured electronic mail.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of New Jersey’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using New Jersey’s credit freeze law from NJ’s Dept of Banking and Insurance

New Mexico (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with a copy of police or investigative report
and for residents over 65 years of age. All others pay $10 to place a freeze and $5 to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of New Mexico’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using New Mexico’s credit freeze law

New York (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others can place the freeze for free the first time it is used. These consumers pay $5 to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether. If they wish to re-start the freeze after it is removed, they pay a $5 fee.
Effective date of the law: November 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of New York’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using New York’s credit freeze law

North Carolina (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with a valid report or complaint with a law enforcement agency. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: December 1, 2005
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of North Carolina’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using North Carolina’s credit freeze law from NC’s Attorney General

North Dakota (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with valid copy of a police report or police case number documenting the investigative report or complaint to law enforcement agency. All others pay $5 to place or lift the freeze. No fee for removing freeze.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2007
Copy of North Dakota’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using North Dakota’s credit freeze law

Ohio (security freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date of the law: September 1, 2008 for the security freeze provisions.
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Ohio's security freeze law

Oklahoma (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims with investigative report or for seniors aged 65 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Oklahoma’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Oklahoma’s credit freeze law

Oregon (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether
Effective date of the law: October 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Oregon’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Oregon's credit freeze law

Pennsylvania (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims or seniors aged 65 and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze or to lift it temporarily. No fee to remove the freeze.
Note: Credit freeze automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Copy of Pennsylvania’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Pennsylvania’s credit freeze law

Rhode Island (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims or seniors aged 65 years and older. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Rhode Island’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Rhode Island’s credit freeze law

South Carolina (credit freeze established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: None.
Effective date of the law: December 31, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of South Carolina’s security freeze law
Instructions for using South Carolina's security freeze law

Until December 31, 2008, you may use the voluntary program.
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion

South Dakota (credit freeze rights for identity theft victims established by state law)

Eligibility: Identity theft victims with a valid police report. As of November 1, 2007, the credit freeze is offered by all three major credit bureaus voluntarily to all consumers.
Fees: No fees permitted by law for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Note: Only freezes credit report and automatically expires after 7 years from date of placement
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2006
Copy of South Dakota’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using South Dakota’s credit freeze law

Tennessee (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $7.50 to place the freeze, no fee to lift it temporarily, and $5 to remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Tennessee’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Tennessee’s credit freeze law
Copy of Tennessee’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Tennessee’s credit freeze law

Texas (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All other consumers pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or to remove it altogether. $12 to lift the freeze temporarily for a specific creditor.
Effective date of the law: September 1, 2003 for identity theft victims; September 1, 2007 for all consumers
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Texas’ credit freeze law
Instructions for using Texas’ credit freeze law

Utah (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: Utah’s law allows credit bureaus to charge “reasonable fees,” without specifying the amount that can be charged.
Note: Consumers will be able to temporarily lift or "thaw" the freeze within 15 minutes of electronic request
Effective date of the law: September 1, 2008
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Utah’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Utah’s credit freeze law

Vermont (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, $5 to lift it temporarily or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2006
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Vermont’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Vermont’s credit freeze law from VT’s Attorney General

Virginia

Virginia has not passed a credit freeze law. However, as of November 1, 2007, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion made the freeze available voluntarily to Virginia residents. In order to effectively freeze access to your credit files, you must request the credit freeze at all three major credit bureaus.

Eligibility: All Consumers
Fees: No fee for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date: November 1, 2007 at all three major credit reporting agencies
Credit freeze Instructions for Equifax
Credit freeze Instructions for Experian
Credit freeze Instructions for TransUnion

Washington (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: Currently applies to identity theft victims, including persons who receive a notice of a security breach of computerized personal information. Beginning September 1, 2008, all consumers will be eligible for the freeze.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims or seniors aged 65 years and older. Once all other consumers become eligible in September 2008, they will pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 24, 2005 for identity theft victims; September 1, 2008 for all consumers
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Washington’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Washington’s credit freeze law from WA’s Attorney General

West Virginia (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers.
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $5 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Effective date of the law: July 2, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of West Virginia’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using West Virginia’s credit freeze law

Wisconsin (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fee for an "individual who submits evidence satisfactory to the Credit Reporting Agencies that the individual made a report to a law enforcement agency.” All others pay $10 to place, temporarily lift, or remove the freeze altogether.
Effective date of the law: January 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Wisconsin’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Wisconsin’s credit freeze law

Wyoming (credit freeze rights established by state law)

Eligibility: All consumers
Fees: No fees for identity theft victims. All others pay $10 to place the freeze, lift it temporarily, or remove it altogether.
Note: Requires electronic and telephone methods to lift, imposes the 15 minute lift timeframe starting September 1, 2008.
Effective date of the law: July 1, 2007
Permanent freeze remains until removal requested by consumer.
Copy of Wyoming’s credit freeze law
Instructions for using Wyoming’s credit freeze law