Protect Yourself from Identity Theft with a few Clicks of a Mouse Scams & Fraud

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft with a few Clicks of a Mouse

Tennesseans can now take steps to protect themselves from identity theft with a few clicks of a computer mouse. The state's Credit Security Act, enacted last year, required that the nation's three major credit reporting agencies allow Tennessee consumers to "freeze" access to their information at a cost of no more than $7.50 apiece. But it took a lot of time and effort. Consumers had to request forms from the agencies, fill them out, copy several forms of identification and send all of that by certified mail with their checks. Not anymore. The law gave the credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian and Trans Union—a deadline of Jan. 31, 2009, to create electronic methods for consumers requesting a freeze. So now a consumer can sit down at a computer, pull up the reporting agencies' web sites and complete the entire process online. The law, championed by AARP, was one of several across the country that led to a voluntary decision by the credit bureaus to provide inexpensive credit security freezes. The hope is that if your credit files are frozen, someone who fraudulently gets your name and Social Security number can't gain credit in your name. "Too many of the victims of identity theft are age 50 and older, but consumers of all ages need tools like these ‘credit security freezes' to protect themselves and I'm pleased to see that the process is now more user-friendly," said Rebecca Kelly, AARP Tennessee state director. When a person is ready to make a major purchase or apply for credit, he or she can lift the freeze temporarily for free, and typically within minutes. All he or she must do is provide the PIN (personal identification number) given when the freeze was enacted. Consumers need to keep those PINs safe because replacing them costs $5. A freeze can be permanently lifted for $5. All of the fees can be waived for victims of identity theft. "I think this is a very important consumer protection measure. ID theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. I'm glad AARP brought it forward and I was honored to be a part of its passage into law," said House Democratic Leader Gary Odom of Nashville, who sponsored the legislation in 2007 along with then-Sen. Raymond Finney, a Maryville Republican. Consumers can get more information about security freezes and other ways to protect their money at . To request a security freeze, contact the agencies:
1-800-685-1111
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348


1-888-397-3742
P.O.Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013


1-888-909-8872
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834 To learn more about Tennessee's Credit Security Act, . Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.