Beginning today, Cherokee County residents can freeze their credit, for $3 per credit-reporting agency, to reduce the risk of identify theft.

Proposed by state Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) and supported in the Senate by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), House Bill 130, which authorizes credit freeze in Georgia, has earned high praise for consumer advocates.

Georgia Watch board member Clark Howard has called it, "the best credit freeze law in the United States. Now Georgians have the best way possible to shut down identity thieves cold."

The credit freeze allows consumers to bar access to their credit files with the three major credit reporting agencies (CRA), prohibiting identity thieves from fraudulently opening new accounts or lines of credit in a victim's name.

The bill caps the fees that CRAs can charge for a freeze at $3. People age 65 and older and victims of identity theft who can produce a copy of a police incident report can request a credit freeze for free.

Individuals can temporarily "thaw" the freeze to allow approved access to a credit file for another $3 fee, which will be available electronically within 15 minutes of request, keeping on-the-spot credit an option for shoppers. Consumers will be issued a personal identification number (PIN), which can be used to thaw or permanently lift a freeze by phone or over the Internet.

Requests for credit freezes must be made by certified mail, and proof of identity and residence will be required.

"Compared to credit monitoring and similar services, a credit freeze provides superior protection because it is the only proactive tool that stops new account fraud before it starts," said Allison Wall, executive director of Georgia Watch.

To request the service, send a letter by certified mail to all three CRAs. For each letter, include the $3 payment, your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, a government-issued ID (driver's license, state or military ID card, passport); and one copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement.

If you are a victim of identity theft, also provide a copy of a valid police report in order to receive a free freeze.

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