Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

By Suze Orman


State Guide: Credit Freezing


Currently, the following states allow consumers who have not yet been victims of identity theft to put a credit freeze on their accounts at the credit bureaus:

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Illinois
Indiana [as of September 1, 2007]
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland [as of January 1, 2008]
Minnesota
Montana [as of July 1, 2007]
Nebraska [as of September 1, 2008]
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico [as of July 1, 2007]
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota [as of July 2007]
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee [as of January 1, 2008]
Utah [as of September 1, 2008]
Vermont
West Virginia [as of July 2007]
Wisconsin
Wyoming [as of January 1, 2008]

The following states allow only victims of ID theft to use a credit freeze:

Arkansas [as of January 1, 2008]
Hawaii
Kansas
Mississippi
South Dakota
Texas
Washington
Financial Freedom

From the September 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine



Please note: This is general information and is not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with your own financial advisor before making any major financial decisions, including investments or changes to your portfolio, and a qualified legal professional before executing any legal documents or taking any legal action. Harpo Productions, Inc. and its affiliated companies and entities is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your financial or legal decisions.