The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s most recent statistics show that nearly 7,000 Ohioans become victims of identity theft each year. This growing crime can be particularly insidious because the victim often isn’t aware that they’ve been had until long after it happens. It can take many months and, often, thousands of dollars to recover one’s good name, while the identity thief has moved on to new victims. Fortunately, there is a new way for Ohioans to protect themselves against this rising tide of financial crime.

Ohio Governor Strickland recently signed into law Substitute House Bill 46, which allows Ohioans to place a security freeze on their personal credit report. A security freeze limits credit reporting agencies from disclosing consumers’ credit files to third parties without their consent, and would keep an imposter from opening a credit account in an unsuspecting consumer’s name. Only the person to whom the credit file refers can request a security freeze or request that the security freeze be removed or temporarily lifted.

The fee for Ohioans to place, temporarily lift, or permanently remove a security freeze on a credit report is $5 each. The fee for placing an initial freeze would be waived for Ohioans who can prove that they have previously been victims of identity theft.

In order to place the credit freeze, consumers must contact all three credit reporting bureaus. Ohioans can request a security freeze by mail or, in the case of Experian, online. Visit each agency’s Web site for more information on how to request a security freeze: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

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