Consumer credit reports: security freezes: fees.

Existing state law defines and regulates consumer credit reports and authorizes a consumer to place a security freeze on his or her credit report by making a request in writing by mail to a consumer credit reporting agency. Existing state law requires a consumer credit reporting agency to place the security freeze on the consumer's credit report no later than 3 business days after receiving the consumer's request. Existing law authorizes a consumer credit reporting agency to charge a specified fee to a consumer for the placement of each freeze, the removal of the freeze, the temporary lift of the freeze for a period of time, or the temporary lift of the freeze for a specific party, regarding access to a consumer credit report, except as specified. Under existing law, with regard to a consumer who is 65 years of age or older, a consumer credit reporting agency is prohibited from charging a fee for the placement of an initial security freeze, but is authorized to charge a fee not to exceed a specified amount for the removal of the freeze, the temporary lift of the freeze for a period of time, the temporary lift of the freeze for a specific party, or replacing the freeze. This bill would prohibit a consumer credit reporting agency from charging any of those fees.