News 12 at 6, August 1, 2008

Starting Friday, people in Georgia can freeze their credit records just by making a phone call and paying a small fee.

So what does that mean?

A credit freeze blocks any businesses and others from looking at your credit report.

So, if your identity is stolen, the thief couldn't use the information to file for any new lines of credit in your name.

That can save a boatload of trouble down the road for you.

So how do you enact a freeze?

You have to send a request to all three credit bureaus: Experian, Transunion and Equifax and also pay a $3 fee to each.

If you need a lift or thaw on the freeze, you'd just have to pay another $3 dollars and it would happen within 15 minutes.

You can already enact a freeze in South Carolina.