Senator Fuschillo Urges College Students Now At Risk Of Id Theft To Protect Themselves Using New State Security Freeze Law
With the entire student body of Nassau Community College now at risk of identity theft after a suspected theft of personal records, New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) is reminding students that a new state law he sponsored will allow them to protect themselves by blocking access to their credit information using a security freeze.
"Although Nassau Community College took steps to notify students about the incident, alerted law enforcement, and offered to pay for a year of credit monitoring service, the fact remains that over 21,000 people are now at risk of identity theft," said Senator Fuschillo, Chairman of the Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee. "New York State’s security freeze law will allow those at risk to block access to their credit information and help prevent an identity thief from destroying their finances."
A security freeze prevents a consumer’s credit information from being released without their consent. If a consumer freezes their credit files, outside parties would be unable to view them without the consumer’s approval, which is given by using a special PIN number. Since banks and credit agencies usually do not issue new loans, credit, or mortgages without first viewing the applicant’s credit history, the security freeze prevents an identity thief from using a victim’s name to obtain these services, even if they have that person’s social security number.
Anyone who would like to place a security freeze on their credit information should send a certified or overnight U.S. Postal Service letter with their name, address, social security number, and date of birth to each of the three major credit bureaus.
- Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, Georgia, 30348
- Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, Texas, 75013
- Trans Union Security Freeze, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, California, 92834-6790
Students who would like more information about the security freeze law, including a list of frequently asked questions and sample letters to the credit bureaus can CLICK HERE.
TO SEND AN EMAIL TO SENATOR FUSCHILLO, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES FROM SENATOR FUSCHILLO, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
