Governor sign identity theft bills

Identity theft is the target of three bills signed by Governor Sonny Perdue today. One bill allows Georgians to freeze their credit for a $3 fee. The second creates an Identity Theft Task Force within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The third bill increases penalties for criminals who steal identities through Internet phishing.

Consumer group wants inexpensive credit freezes

Georgia consumer advocacy groups want an easier path to the so-called "credit freeze." Major credit reporting agencies already allow people to freeze information on their credit reports. A credit freeze prevents new creditors from gaining access to the credit file without the consumer's consent. When a freeze is in place, an identity thief cannot open a new account because the potential creditor will not be able to check the credit file.

At issue is how much a credit freeze should cost. The consumer group Georgia Watch says Georgians should only have to pay $5 to make the freeze or change its status. They want a state law limiting the cost.