Arizona Identity Theft
By Rick Hazeltine
Staff Editorial Writer
Arizona is popular with Snow Birds, outdoor enthusiasts and golfers. Apparently it's even more popular with identity thieves.
Arizona identity theft complaints ranked No. 1 in the nation for 2008 according to the annual Federal Trade Commission survey. There were 9,863 Arizona identity theft complaints in 2008.
Fortunately for citizens, the state has taken a serious approach to Arizona identity theft. Here are some of the resources available to citizens if they think they have been a victim of identity theft.
- A special Identity Theft Hotline - 602-542-2145 (Phoenix), 520-628-6504 (Tucson), 800-352-8431 (outside Maricopa and Pima counties) -is available to Arizona identity theft victims.
- Arizona's new security freeze law (ARS 44-1695) allows consumers to request that credit reporting agencies place a freeze on their credit report and credit score. The credit reporting agency has 10 business days to comply after receiving a written request from the consumer. The reporting agency must provide a unique ID number and password for the consumer to use temporarily to lift or permanently remove the security freeze.
- To place a freeze if you are an Arizona identity theft victim, you must write to the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. Arizona law allows a fee of $5 per consumer reporting agency to place a freeze, but there is no cost if you show proof that you are a victim of identity theft. Proof can be shown by sending a copy of a police report that documents your identity theft complaint.
- Victims of Arizona identity theft can also request the state's Identity Theft Repair Kit prepared by the Attorney General's office. Arizona identity theft victims can download the kit at the Arizona Attorney General
- Also available to Arizona identity theft victims is an Identity Theft Affidavit that can be used when contacting businesses such as credit card companies and lenders regarding what you believe to be fraudulent transactions.
- The state also has laws specific to victims of Arizona identity theft. The primary law regarding Arizona identity theft is its Identity Theft Law (Arizona State Legislature), Security Breach Law (http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp) and Retailer use of personal identifying information (http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp).
