Arizonans Common Target For Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission recently released its report on consumer fraud complaints and Arizona came out on top. To counter this alarming trend, Arizona PIRG is backing security freeze legislation to block out identity thieves from obtaining our personal information.

On average, a victim of identity theft spends $1,180 and 60 hours cleaning up their credit record. Until the consumer is able to repair the damage to their credit record, they will probably have a tougher time getting a good interest rate on a car loan, home mortgage or credit card. A damaged credit record can even prevent someone from getting a job.

If a security freeze is in place, creditors cannot process new applications for credit unless the consumer gives them permission to do so. If a consumer is applying for credit, he or she can lift the freeze so that a particular creditor can review their credit file for a specified period of time.

Arizona PIRG is working with state legislators to have Arizona join over 20 other states offering a low-cost, easy-to-use safeguard to freeze crooks out of credit files.