Secure free credit freeze by Jan. 1 Published Dec. 8, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Locke Editor POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- If you are a North Carolina resident, you can request a free security freeze from the three major credit bureaus. A security freeze is a new consumer right provided by North Carolina law designed to contribute to identity theft protection. Residents of North Carolina can get a security freeze for free if impacted by the recent theft of data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. People affected by that breach have until Jan. 1 to secure a free credit freeze. The freeze keeps new creditors from accessing your credit report without your consent. According to Dan Peterson, Pope Legal Office, putting a security freeze on one's credit reports can block an identity thief from opening a new account or claiming any credit in your name. "If you activate a security freeze, an identity thief cannot take out new credit in your name, even if the thief has your Social Security number or other personal information because creditors cannot access your credit report," said Mr. Peterson. To place a freeze, send a letter by certified mail to each of the three credit bureaus that includes the following: · Full name including middle initial and any suffix (such as Jr.) · Home addresses for the last five years · Social Security Number and date of birth · Two proofs of residence (this can be: copy of driver's license, utility bill, insurance statement, bank statement) · The notification you received about the data theft from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A copy of this letter is available online at http://www.firstgov.gov/veteransinfo_letter.pdf· Proof of Veteran, military, or National Guard status These are the following addresses to send this information to: Equifax Security P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348 Freeze Experian Security Freeze P. O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 Trans Union Security Freeze P. O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 Within ten days of a credit bureau placing a security freeze on your credit, the bureau will send you a unique PIN number and instructions on how to lift the freeze temporarily or to remove it permanently. If you want to take out a loan, get a new credit card or apply for a job or certain services, you can lift the security freeze for a certain period of time by notifying the credit bureau according to its procedures. The credit bureau should "thaw" your freeze within three business days of receiving the request. Credit bureaus must place a freeze on your credit within five business days of receiving your written request. A creditor who requests your file will see a message or code indicating that the report is frozen and may treat your application as incomplete not rejected. The creditor will not see your credit score. Certain entities can continue to access your credit despite the freeze, such as government agencies for purposes of collecting child support payments or taxes and your existing creditors or collection agencies acting on their behalf. Other creditors may also use your information to offer you pre-approved credit. You can stop most pre-approved credit offers by calling (888) 5-OPT-OUT or by visiting their Web site at www.optoutprescreen.com. You will still be able to get a free copy of your credit report annually from each credit bureau by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.