Protecting Credit Information

An article in Monday's Business section about a Pennsylvania consumer credit protection law taking effect that day should have been accompanied by this question-and-answer guide. If you want to freeze your credit file immediately or are just curious about the law, here are answers to a few basic questions: How does Pennsylvania's law compare with those in other states? It's stronger than some in one crucial way, according to Consumers Union, which supports and tracks the proposals: It allows anybody, not just identity-theft victims, to freeze his or her credit file. Five other states' laws, including two that went into effect Monday in Kansas and Hawaii, only apply to victims. How much does a security freeze cost? Each of the three national credit bureaus can charge you up to $10, unless you're 65 or older, or are a victim of identity theft and can submit a police report to prove it.

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