South Carolina Residents Can Now Get Free Credit Freeze

A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors. A security freeze can help prevent new account identity theft. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first checking a consumer’s credit history. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number probably would not be able to obtain credit in your name.

Under new rules that went into effect this year South Carolina residents can now place a freeze on their credit reports and temporarily unfreeze those same reports for no charge.

It is a bit cumbersome to start, but may be worth the trouble to protect your identity. To find out the steps required to place a freeze on your reports you can follow this link.

Credit Freeze

Beginning July 1 twenty nine states and the District of Columbia will give consumers a new tool to combat identity theft; residents will be allowed to put a "freeze" or block on access to their credit reports. Without access to credit reports and credit scores businesses will not make credit available, thus locking out potential identity thieves. If you put a freeze on your account and need to apply for credit you can input a PIN number to allow access for legitimate inquiries.

You can find a list of the states that are working to protect your identity here. For the rest of us we need to be asking our legislators when we can have access to this useful tool too.

photo courtesy of Belin at mourgefile.com