Georgia ranks among the states with the highest incidence of identity theft, but lags behind the country in prevention. Our state is one of only 11 states that have not passed legislation, crafted by U.S. PIRG, our federation of state-based organizations, to allow consumers to freeze their credit reports and prevent identity theft.
In a day and age where financial institutions and data-dealers routinely lose our sensitive financial information, we need tools to protect consumers against identity theft.
Credit reporting agencies charge for every credit check they run, whether it’s made honestly, or by a criminal opening a new account in someone else’s name. TransUnion, Experian and Equifax have begun to offer credit freezes, but legislation is essential to ensure the process is simple and affordable for consumers. Unrestricted, reporting agencies can charge consumers 10 times the cost to the company to freeze or thaw an account.
Georgia PIRG is standing up to these companies by advocating a free freeze and thaw that will allow consumers to better protect their credit and their pocketbooks.
