Credit freeze laws are streamlined in certain states

A security freeze gives consumers the ability to freeze or lock access to their credit files against anyone trying to open up a new account for credit or services in their name. When a security freeze is in place at all three major credit bureaus, an identity thief cannot open a new account because the potential creditor or seller of services will not be able to check the credit file. When the rightful consumer is applying for credit, he or she can lift the freeze temporarily using a PIN so legitimate applications for credit or services can be processed. Most states give the credit bureaus up to three business days to lift or remove the freeze after a consumer makes that request. As of September 1, consumers in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C., will be able to lift or remove the security freeze within 15 minutes of making an electronic request to the credit bureaus using a PIN. This same provision goes into effect in January 2009 in Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, and Tennessee. The rules for using a security freeze vary across the country because of different state laws governing their use.

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