Why can't all citizens freeze their credit data to protect against identity theft? (The VA just lost my SSN.)

Question

My social security number has been lost by the Veterans Administration, and before that by Bank of America. Now they tell me that I have to (pay to) monitor my credit for the rest of my life? Why can't all Americans have the choice to freeze our credit bureau information?

Answer 1

Oh boy...you touch on a very sensitive and ever more timely area of concern for most Americans...especially after that massive 26.5 million V.A. social security loss.

Here's the bottom line to your question: Each state has to basically decide on it's own if it will pass legislation to make it the law for citizens within that state to have rights observed by the major credit bureaus to freeze your credit report upon request.

Earlier this year there were approximately 11 states which had made it a law to have credit freeze rights for their consumers.
Now, between pending and passed laws, there's as many as 23 states I believe which will phase in varying levels of credit freeze rights....still not quite half of the country though...and you have to be fortunate enough to live in those states in order to get the protection.

However, even if you do not actually live in a state which currently provides a credit freeze law, you can take action.

Since you have indicated you already have become a victim, you DO have the right to place a fraud alert with all (3) of the major credit bureaus. This will provide you some degree of limited protection after the fact. The other sources you'll want to seek out is the FTC to file a victim's affadavit which can help you in the countless number of communications you'll need to have with your various creditors and banks to limit the damage to your financial well being.

For more details on how to get your fraud alert, refer to the resources.

Answer 2

Rule number one is simple - use common sense. Don't give strangers your information, don't click on things that say you won a contest/lottery you never entered, remember nobody will give you anything for free or for clicking on a banner, only give away your full SS number to banks and taxes (jobs only need the last 4), and don't search for illegal things. Other things are to install a good firewall, virus/spyware scanner (viruses do sometimes steal your information), and try to stick to sites you know are safe (or your friends know are safe). Also I suggest using a service offered by many banks that creates a one time use credit card number. This "card" will be used for that payment only than become disabled, so even if someone acquired it they couldn't use it. Paypal has such a service, and several banks do as well. If you think someone got a hold of your information inform your bank(s) and have them change your account numbers, also contact the credit agencies and have them put a block on your credit report to prevent anyone from using your credit. It could also be worth signing up for a service like Lifelock, who will do all that for you.

Answer 3

You can put a fraud alert on your credit report. That way creditors have to contact you if any new lines of credit are open before they can be activated. I feel for ya, we don't know for sure, but the VA probably lost ours as well.

Answer 4

Contact the credit agencies - each one of them. There is a freeze option - but I just dont know if its free.