North Carolina Bill Allows Consumers to Freeze Credit Reports for Free

North Carolina consumers could soon be able to place a security freeze on their credit reports for free in legislation awaiting Gov. Beverly Perdue’s signature.

The Senate gave final legislative approval to expand the state’s 2005 anti-identity theft protection law.

Changes backed by Attorney General Roy Cooper would allow consumers to get the freeze for free if requested online. Consumer reporting agencies have been able to charge up to $10. They will still be able to charge up to $3 if the request is done by phone or mail.

The bill also would permit some court officials to remove Social Security numbers from documents on their Web sites and require businesses and government agencies to report all security breaches to Cooper’s office.