Originally published March 14 2005
Ohio requires free annual credit reports in fight against identity theft
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Ohio has implemented a law that requires credit reporting agencies provide Ohio residents with a free copy of their credit reports annually. The law also requires agencies to report identity thefts to all other credit bureaus when a customer files an identity theft report, and requires lenders to tell consumers before they send a negative report in to credit agencies.
If this call is in regard to identity theft, please leave the phone number with area code.
This cryptic message on the couple's telephone voice mail rings the anguish the Lake County residents experienced for six years after they became victims of identity theft.
Identity thieves used her Social Security number, bank account details and other such confidential information to obtain credit cards and go on a shopping spree that took them all the way to Illinois.
"There were 30 bank accounts opened in our names, and our addresses were changed six times by identity thieves," said Maureen, who testified before Congress in 2003 to push for a similar bill.
To protect consumers from identity thieves, LaTourette, R-Concord Township, pushed for a bill mandating that credit reporting agencies provide free reports once a year.
Nowadays, only the last four or five digits of a credit card are printed on receipts.
If a consumer reported an identity theft to a credit bureau, the bureau must share that information with other credit bureaus.
The downside of this provision is that a consumer who has issued a fraud alert won't be able to apply for instant credits such as those offered in malls and stores as promotional deals, said Maureen, who once lost her driver's license because of impostors.
"We do exceptional monitoring of accounts and credit-card transactions," Sir Louis said.
If a loan applicant's credit rating is verified by the bank, that person will be informed about it, he said.
Stusek, who offers free credit counseling, said consumers have had to pay $9 per report per year.
If there are "derogatory notifications in them, it gives a chance to resolve the issue," she said.
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