Equifax urged to also offer credit report 'freeze'

[CurtEastPoint]

Source: Atlanta Journal/Constitution

A day after TransUnion said it will let people "freeze" their credit reports to help prevent identity theft, several of the nation's largest consumer rights groups are urging the other two major bureaus, including Atlanta-based Equifax, to do the same.

Consumers Union, AARP, Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, sent letters to Equifax and Experian, asking them to match or surpass TransUnion's plan.

Chicago-based TransUnion announced Thursday that consumers will have the right to bar anyone from accessing their credit reports without permission. TransUnion, which has 500 million consumer files worldwide, said the service will be made available Oct. 15.

Under TransUnion's plan, ID theft victims will not be charged, and others will pay a $10 fee each time they want to freeze their credit reports and another $10 whenever they want to unfreeze their files. TransUnion said customers will be able to unfreeze their accounts with a telephone and a PIN.

more at link...

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/business/stories/2007/09/21/equifax_0921.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

---

It's about damn time and it ought to be FREE.

[Gormy Cuss]

1. Yes, it should be free.

Hell, let's push for a national Do Not Share list.

[Xithras]

2. Freezes don't actually lock everyone out.

If you haven't otherwise blocked them, your report can still be queried by people wanting to send you offers of credit. Existing creditors and collections agencies also get to keep full access to your report.