Which States Allow Credit Freeze?

When you put a credit freeze on your credit accounts, it prevents anybody from opening a credit card in your name. In most cases, you'd do this to prevent identity theft if you see evidence you may be a victim. Fortunately, most states allow you to freeze an account. Four states, however, only let you freeze an account if you're a documented victim of identity theft.

States Allowing Unlimited Freezes

Consumerunion.org says that forty-seven states and the District of Columbia now have laws requiring the credit bureaus to allow you to do a credit freeze, regardless of whether you're an identity theft victim. This includes all states, except Alabama, Michigan and Missouri. However, in 2007, the three credit bureaus allowed consumers to place unlimited credit freezes on their accounts in those three states without a law. A person must contact the credit bureaus individually in order to do this. Equifax requires that you fill out a form on its website or write the company directly with proof of identity. Experian requests that you call or write directly with proof of identity. TransUnion requires an online form, phone or direct mail proving your identity. Each of the three bureaus charges $10 to place or remove a credit freeze.

Fees Vary Per State

In those states that let you freeze your credit, fees vary. In California, for instance, anyone under the age of 65 must pay $10 to place or lift a credit freeze; however, anyone over 65 pays only $5. In Louisiana, there is no fee for those over age 62, but $10 is charged to anyone younger, and lifting a freeze temporarily costs $8. Nevada has slightly higher fees: $15 to place a freeze at any age, $18 to remove it and $20 to lift it on a specific account. The District of Columbia has its own law, which charges $10 to impose a credit freeze, but nothing to lift it. 46 states allow you to impose a freeze for free, if you prove you're a victim of identity theft.

For Identity Theft Victims Only

Four states only let you place a credit freeze if you're a documented victim of identity theft. Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi and South Dakota are the only states with laws limiting credit freezes this way, and only Kansas and South Dakota provide the service free for theft victims. However, a 2007 credit freeze allowance from the three credit bureaus applies in these four states. Contact the bureaus as described in Section One, if you want a credit freeze in these states without evidence of identity theft.