CreditLock.com

In a new informal poll/survey published at www.CreditLock.com , the majority of respondents voted Credit Freeze as the most valuable Identity Theft Protection tool. Such vote of confidence coincides with the July 1 expansion of effective Credit Freeze laws into Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

Respondents were asked which tool they believed is most valuable in fighting Identity Theft. Credit Freeze was selected by 59% of respondents. Credit Monitoring was selected by 14% of respondents. Fraud Alerts was selected by 14% of respondents. Opt-Out from Pre-Screened Credit offers was selected by 14% of respondents. Although the survey/poll is informal, and its sample size is small, the results emphasize the emergence of Credit Freeze as one of the most important Identity Theft Protection tools.

Such results are not surprising, given that Credit Freeze is the only tool available that actually locks down access to one's Credit Report. With access to one's Credit Report blocked, Identity Thieves should not be able to secure new Credit or Loan accounts in their victims' names.

Prior to July 1, 2007, Credit Freeze laws had become effective in 26 states, with a total 2006 population of 190.8Million residents. The five new territories, with a total population of 5.8 Million residents, make Credit Freeze laws effective in a total of 31 states, with a total 2006 population of 196.6 Million residents. With the U.S. total 2006 population standing at 299.4 Million, this would imply that Credit Freeze laws are available now to 66% of the total U.S. population.

As identity Theft continues to haunt Americans, it is only a matter of time before most or all U.S. states enact Credit Freeze laws. It is also possible that a Federal law may be passed sometime in 2008. Most politicians are realizing that voting against Credit Freeze laws risks alienating voters who have clearly expressed their concern about Identity Theft, and their preference for Credit Freeze laws.

Credit Freeze is also known as Security Freeze and Credit Lock. It allows consumers to lock down access to their credit report, hence preventing Identity Theft criminals from opening new credit and loan accounts in their victims' names.

Credit Freeze laws, and associated fees, can vary from state to state. Although some consumers may find navigating such laws sometimes confusing, some services have been introduced to streamline the information and related processes. One such service is www.CreditLock.com/creditlockdownpro.html , where consumers can access an interactive color coded U.S. map, depicting availability and spread of Credit Freeze, as well as kits for placing, permanently removing and temporarily removing a Credit Freeze.