Georgia Credit Freeze Laws

Georgia has credit freeze laws.credit 3d sign image by onlinebewerbung.de from Fotolia.com

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, prohibits credit bureaus from releasing a person's credit information without the person's express consent, according to the Experian credit bureau. There are no federal laws regulating credit freezes and credit freeze laws vary from state to state, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In Georgia, anyone can request a credit freeze, whether or not he has been a victim of identity fraud. However, credit freezes also prevent a person from applying for credit, such as a home loan, credit card or auto financing.

Placing a Freeze

According to Georgia law, you may request that a freeze be put on your credit report by sending a written request by certified mail to all three credit bureaus (Trans Union, Equifax and Experian). You may also request a credit freeze online or over the phone. Include your name, address and Social Security number along with your request for a credit freeze. In addition, you must include a specific reason for requesting the freeze, such as unauthorized credit card charges, false collection accounts or other credit report items about which you have no knowledge. However, the State of Georgia does not require proof of fraud to place a credit freeze.

The charge to place a credit freeze is $3 in the State of Georgia. However, identity theft victims who have filed a police report and people aged 65 or older are exempt from this fee.

In Georgia, a credit freeze remains on an individual's credit report until that individual requests that it be removed. Georgia law states that a consumer must notify credit bureaus either in writing, by phone or online to lift the credit freeze. The credit bureaus must lift the credit freeze within 15 minutes of receiving the consumer's request. There is no fee to lift a credit freeze in Georgia.