Freezing Out ID Thieves
Consumer affairs expert Clark Howard, writing in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, in the identity theft front.
As of October 15, consumers in all 50 states "will have access to the best weapon ever devised to keep [their] identity safe": the ability to put a "freeze" on their credit reports. A freeze prevents anyone from gaining access to a credit report without specific consent. Writes Clark: "When you freeze your credit reports, anyone who steals your identity is unable to open credit cards or buy things in your name.... With a frozen report, even if the bad guys know your mother's maiden name or your birthday, they won't be able to get into your credit." The credit-reporting companies—TransUnion, Equifax and Experian—are offering the report-freezing option nationwide, but you may have to pay a fee for the option depending on your state of residence. (Note: Experian's freeze option doesn't start until November 1.) Still, notes Clark, even if you do have to pay a fee to freeze your report and unfreeze it later, the cost will likely be less than paying for a credit-monitoring service. 
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