Earlier
this week, the Veteran’s Administration revealed that the social
security numbers of over 26 million veterans was stolen, leaving these
veterans vulnerable to identity theft. In response to this monumental
breach, NCPIRG and Attorney General Roy Cooper have called on the
General Assembly to allow veterans to freeze their credit at no cost.
“When
a consumer’s social security number is breached, a credit freeze is the
most effective way to prevent identity theft,” stated Rob Thompson,
NCPIRG consumer advocate. “With a credit freeze in place, veterans will
have a virtual masterlock on their identity.”
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. However, consumers must
pay $30 to freeze their credit with all three credit bureaus, unless
identity theft has already taken place and the victim has filed a
report with the police. NCPIRG and Attorney General Cooper are
proposing to add veterans to the list of those exempted from paying
these fees.
“In
light of the massive security breach that has taken place, veterans
should be able to freeze their credit free of charge,” stated Thompson.
“North Carolina is rich with veterans and we should do whatever it
takes to protect them from identity theft.”
The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that 10 million Americans have
their identities stolen each year, including over 250,000 North
Carolina residents. This proposed legislation is critical to ensure
that our service men and women can continue to serve our country
without the specter of identity theft hanging over their head.
