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New Tool Released To Prevent Identity Theft

Last updated on Thursday, August 30, 2007

(UNDATED) - It’s a new way to protect yourself from identity theft.

State Attorney General Steve Carter says, as of September 1st, Hoosiers can send letters to the three major credit reporting companies and get a freeze put on their reports. Meaning, only the person whose name is on the report has access to it.

Carter admits there is a bit of lag time on this, with it taking 10 days to get a pin number assigned so a person can temporarily lift a freeze, if needed. Carter says people can download the forms to mail to the credit companies via his website, www.indianaconsumer.com.

Carter has teamed up with the AARP to try and get people to start signing up as soon as possible. Consumers will be able to go through the whole process electronically, beginning January 1st, 2009.

Carter says the three major credit reporting firms - Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union - are all incurring a small cost to run this program for Hoosier consumers.

More than 3,000 Hoosiers were the victims of identity theft in 2006 alone. The law change came from the state legislature.

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