In response to the massive security breach earlier this month in which someone stole the Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans, (Update, 11/1/2006: 28.5 million veterans and active-duty militar personnel were affected) NCPIRG is working with North Carolina State Representative Bruce Goforth and State Senator Daniel Clodfelter to allow veterans to put a freeze on their credit free of charge. Rep. Goforth will introduce legislation early next week in the House of Representatives.
In 2005, the General Assembly, with support from NCPIRG and the Attorney General’s office, passed the Identity Theft Protection Act, which gives consumers the ability to freeze their credit. Unfortunately, most consumers have to pay $30 to freeze their credit and an additional $30 to unfreeze their credit. The NCPIRG-backed legislation would exempt veterans from this fee. NCPIRG expects movement on the legislation this month. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that 10 million Americans have their identities stolen each year, including over 250,000 North Carolina residents.
Contact: Rob Thompson, NCPIRG Consumer Advocate, (919) 833-2070, rob@ncpirg.org, www.ncpirg.org.
