Identity theft what you can do to protect yourself

Thirty-six states have a new tool to stymie thieves: security-freeze laws that allow consumers to protect their credit records from predators.

A freeze locks up information needed to conduct a credit check, and creditors will not open new accounts without that check. A thief will be foiled, but you can lift the freeze using a PIN.

Most states that offer a security freeze make it free to identify-theft victims, and some provide it at no charge to seniors.

For those consumers who want the freeze but aren’t victims of ID theft, most state security-freeze laws allow each of the three major credit bureaus to charge $5 to $10 to initiate the protection or to lift the freeze.

To find out whether your state offers security-freeze protection and how it works go to www.ConsumersUnion.org/SecurityFreeze.htm