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CREDIT REPORTS – SECURITY FREEZES CHEAPER, EASIER
AB 372, Civil Code 1785.11.2, 1785.15
Consumers can reduce their risk of identity theft by freezing their credit report, also known as a security freeze. A credit freeze prohibits credit reporting agencies from releasing information in the report to potential creditors. Most creditors will not open new credit accounts without this information. Consumers can temporarily lift, or permanently remove the freeze.
This new law makes it easier to freeze a credit report. Previously, consumers had to send their requests by certified mail; now they can send the request by regular mail. Before, credit reporting agencies had up to 5 days to freeze a credit report; now they have 3 days from the date they receive the request.
This law also makes it cheaper to freeze a credit report. Previsously, credit reporting agencies were allowed to charge $10 each to freeze a credit report. They were also allowed to charge up to $12 to temporarily lift or permanently remove a freeze. The new law requires credit reporting agencies to charge seniors (65-years-old or older) no more than $5 each for these services. The law also limits credit reporting agencies to charge only $10 each for these services to consumers under the age of 65.
A security freeze is free for victims of identity theft.
For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within the County) * (213) 974-1452
Web site: dca.lacounty.gov