Security Freeze Legislation

In response to the increasing dangers associated with identity theft, in 2006, the legislature passed Senate Bill 334, codified as RSA 359-B:22-29 (the "Act"). The Act entitles New Hampshire consumers to place a "security freeze" on credit reports through consumer credit reporting agencies. The security freeze is designed to prevent credit or loans from being approved in the name of a consumer without the consumer´s knowledge and consent.

Under the Act, when a consumer places a security freeze on his or her consumer report, the credit reporting agency will provide the consumer with a personal identification number and password. The identification number and password will allow the consumer to remove the freeze on his or her consumer report or authorize the release of a consumer report to a specific party or for a specific period of time after the freeze is in place.

A consumer who has been the victim of identity theft may place a security freeze on his or her consumer report by making a request in writing, by certified mail, to a consumer reporting agency with a valid copy of a police report, investigative report or complaint filed with a law enforcement agency about the unlawful use of personal information by an unauthorized person. For consumers who are victims of identity theft, this security freeze has no fee associated with it.

A consumer who has not been the victim of identity theft may place a security freeze on his or her consumer report by making a request in writing, by certified mail, to a consumer credit reporting agency. The consumer credit reporting agency may charge a fee of no more than $10.00 to the consumer for each freeze, removal of a freeze or temporary lift of a freeze for a period of time or for a specific party.

Consumers who take advantage of the security freeze provision of this Act should be aware that they will be required to lift that freeze in order to take out credit after the freeze is in place. Thus, for example if the consumer intends to obtain a new credit card or obtain a loan, the freeze will need to be lifted for either a period of time or for a specific creditor in order for that transaction to be processed.

The Act also requires that local law enforcement agencies accept a complaint and provide the complainant with a copy of the complaint in order for the consumer to have the necessary documentation to obtain the security freeze.

The three major credit bureaus may be contacted at the following addresses:

Equifax
    P.O. Box 740241
    Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
    To order your report: 1-800-685-1111
    To report fraud: 1-800-525-6285
    TDD: 800-255-0056

TransUnion
    Fraud Victim Assistance
    P.O. Box 6790
    Fullerton, CA 92834
    Email: fvad@transunion.com
    To order your report: 1-800-888-4213
    To report fraud: 1-800-680-7289
    TDD: 877-553-7803

Experian
    P.O. Box 9532
    Allen, TX 75013
    To order your report: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
    To report fraud: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
    TDD: 800-972-0322

The Security Freeze Act can be found on the internet at www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2006/sb0334.html.

More information on identity theft can be found on the Department of Justice website at www.doj.nh.gov/Consumer, or by contacting the consumer hotline at 1-888-468-4454.