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NEWS/EVENTS UPDATES
As Of June 30th, 2006
Click On New Banners For The
Latest Updates On The "Seven
Greatest Dangers of Identity
Theft"
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STATE IDENTITY THEFT FREEZE LAWS UPDATES FOR 2005-2006 (As of 6/30/2006)
Click below to learn more about bills in your state, or how to file if a law is already in effect. States considering action link to a Consumers Union site that tells how to contact lawmakers.
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Laws in effect
• Texas
Only former ID theft victims can freeze with a police report.
Bills passed
• Louisiana
Law signed, Effect in July 2005-all consumers
• Vermont
Law signed, effect in July 2005-only ID Theft Victims, July 2006-all consumers.
• Washington
Bill passed. Only "ID Theft Victims" Can Place a "Security Freeze" on their Credit Files. Includes security Breaches. Effective July 2005.
• Wisconsin - Pass - All Consumers - Effective Jan 2007. |
Bills under consideration
• Alaska FAILED
• Nevada PASS-All
• Florida PASS JUL 06-All
• Hawaii PASS JAN 06-ID Theft Victims Only.
• Illinois PASS JAN 06 - ID Theft Victims Only. Jan 07 - All Consumers
• Kansas FAILED (2005) (Passed Jan 07) ID Theft Victims Only.
• Kentucky FAILED (2005) (Passed Jul 06. All Consumers
• Maine PASS FEB 06-All consumers
• Minnesota FAILED (2005) Pass Aug 06. All consumers.
• New Hampshire - PASS-All - Effective Jan 2007.
• New York - PASS-All - Effective Nov 2006.
• Oklahoma - PASS-All - Effective Jan 2007
• South Dakota - PASS - ID Theft Victims Only
• Utah - PASS-All - Effective Sept 2006.
• Texas FAILED - Has ID Theft Victims Only.
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Note: Bills were also introduced in Indiana, Kentucky, and Maryland, but the legislative sessions ended before they could be voted on. All three states failed to pass legislation.
THIS INFORMATION AND LINKS WERE PROVIDED BY CONSUMER UNION AT:
www.FinancialPrivacyNow.org
STATE LEGISLATORS SCORE CARD THRU JUNE 30TH, 2006
ANYONE CAN FREEZE - 16 STATES PASSED (2005 & 2006) AND 1 STATE ALREADY HAD LAW (CA).
VICTIMS ONLY CAN FREEZE - 5 STATES PASSED AND 1 STATE ALREADY HAD LAW (TX).
PENDING LEGISLATION - 2 STATES
FAILED LEGISLATION - 9 STATES (Texas has a Victims Only Law in Effect, Failed to Pass for all Consumers).
NO LEGISLATION CONSIDERED - 16 STATES
Only seventeen states have laws that protect all of their citizens. Six states allow you to become a victim first before you can freeze your credit files. Two states have pending legislation in 2005-2006.
That leaves the citizens of twenty-five (25) states (50% of America) are wide open for "Identity Thieves" to gain access to your credit bureau files without your knowledge.
If you don't think they can, just ask Congresswoman Kay Granger about "Identity Theft". If they can do it to her, what chance does the citizens of those twenty-five (25) states have?
WE NEED FEDERAL LEGISLATION PASSED NOW TO PROTECT ALL OF AMERICA'S CITIZENS.
"IDENTITY THEFT" LEGISLATION CAN NO LONGER BE ACCOMPLISHED BY STATE GOVERNMENTS. LET THE STATE LEGISLATORS VOTING RECORD FOR 2005 SPEAK FOR ITSELF.
"IDENTITY THEFT" IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDS A NATIONAL FIX.
WE HAVE FIVE-HUNDRED-AND-THIRTY-FIVE MEMBERS IN CONGRESS THAT NEEDS TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS AND PASS ALL CRITICAL LEGISLATION THAT PERTAINS TO "IDENTITY THEFT". THEY NEED TO STRENGTHEN EXISTING STATE LAWS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PASSED.
WE DO NOT NEED CONGRESS TO PASS NEW LEGISLATION THAT WILL WEAKEN AND REPLACE EXISTING STATE LAWS.
WE NEED TO GO FORWARD, NOT BACKWARD.
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NEW UPDATES
Go to:
Seminars/Southwest Seminars for registration. Currently we accept only Visa and Mastercard on-line.
The Christmas holiday season for 2006 is quickly approaching.
However, "Identity Thieves" are now trying to steal your identities so they can gain access to your credit bureau files "TO RIP YOU OFF". They are stealing mail to gain access to credit card offers and other personal financial information that can be used to open up new accounts without your knowledge. Since it takes the three national credit bureau's any where from thirty to ninety days to update your credit bureau files, you won't know if you have become a "Victim of Identity Theft" until you run your credit reports sometime in late January 2007 or sometime in February or March 2007.
Our seminars will be covering subjects that will help you if you have became a "Victim of Identity Theft" during the holidays. If you didn't become another statistic during the holidays, then our "Awareness and Prevention Seminar will teach you "How To Not Become An "Identity Theft Victim" in the future.
Before you make that mad dash to the malls for all of your "Christmas Shopping", keep these "Identity Theft Preventions Tips" in mind.
ID Theft Tip #1 - Choose one purse (Ladies, please leave your Gucci's and Coach purse's at home, don't become a neon sign for the thieves) or wallet to use when you go out shopping. Clean out your purses and wallets of medical cards, social security cards, other identification cards that can be used to get services (rental cars, airlines, etc.) and old credit card receipts (some still have your entire number on them). If you insist on carrying everything with you, lay everything out on your bed and take pictures of the entire contents of your purse or wallet. That way if your purse (wallet) is stolen, you know what is missing if you ever recover it.
ID Theft Tip #2 - Carry no more than two (2) credit cards at a time when shopping. If you use a debit card, use your four digit pin when you can. Ask!
Remember, all credit card machines and receipts are not the same. Many small merchants still use the duplicate receipts (white (top copy) for them, yellow (bottom copy) for you). Always separate the white and yellow copies before signing your name to the store's copy. Receipt is printed on NCR paper so your signature will end up on both copies if you don't separate them. If your wallet or purse is stolen, the "Identity Thief" will have your most recent signature to forge. This could cause you problems when you're claiming you have become a "Victim of Identity Theft".
ID Theft Tip #3 - Ladies, Please lock your cars when you are fueling up your car. We have had several victims tell us that their purses were stolen in less than ten seconds while at the pumps.
ID Theft Tip #4 - Run your free credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion now if you haven't done so this year (go to www.annualcreditreport.com). Make sure no one has opened new accounts in your name without you knowledge or permission. Re-run your credit reports again in Mid-February 2007 to make sure no one has stolen your account information during the holidays.
ID Theft #5 - Use your credit card instead of your debit card. Limits of liability are different for each type of card. See your credit card agreements for clarification.
This ID Theft Prevention Tip is Good, All Year Long.
If you travel (air, car, bus, or train) on business or pleasure, please be extra careful. Use only credit cards, cash, and traveler's checks when you are driving cross-country. We have had victim's banks accounts emptied out in just a matter of hours because someone skimmed their debit card while they were eating. If you need cash while you're on the road, make sure your cash withdrawals are from a bank facility or a drive-thru bank ATM machine. Make sure the slot area on the outside of the ATM machine is flat and nothing is sticking out. Also, make sure nothing is attached to the ATM machine like a box of deposit/withdrawals slips that is facing the pin pad (there could be a camera inside recording your pin number). If you see either one of these things, do not use it. Notify bank personal immediately. If after hours, notify local police.
Remember, while you are shopping, "Identity Thieves" are shopping also. Don't be careless or you could be paying for it the rest of this year and next.
Thank you for your continued support of our web site. Remember to share this web address with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. By sharing, you might prevent someone close to you from becoming a "Victim of Identity Theft".
Please remember that "Identity Theft" strikes nineteen (19) new victims a minute in the U.S. (FTC - 2005). Don't become one of the nineteen (19) new victims.
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