Synthèse factuelle
In New York, credit freezes and fraud alerts are two key tools to help protect individuals against identity theft. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. To place a freeze, you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and provide personal identification information such as your Social Security number and proof of identity. Once initiated, a freeze typically becomes effective within one business day and can be lifted or temporarily suspended upon request. New York State law also provides protections and procedures in line with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Fraud alerts, on the other hand, notify potential creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit. Initial fraud alerts last for one year and can be extended to seven years if you are a confirmed identity theft victim. Placing a fraud alert requires contacting only one credit bureau, which must then notify the others. Both credit freezes and fraud alerts are free of charge under federal and New York state law. The New York Department of State Division of Consumer Protection and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provide official guidance and resources on these procedures. These tools serve different functions and can be used separately or together depending on individual circumstances. For detailed instructions and to initiate a freeze or fraud alert, consumers can visit the FTC’s official website or the New York Department of State’s consumer protection page.