40-12-503. Security freeze.

(a) Except as provided in W.S. 40-12-505, a consumer may place a security freeze on the consumer's credit report by:

(i) Making a request to a consumer reporting agency in writing by certified mail; and

(ii) Providing proper identification.

(b) If a security freeze is in place, a consumer reporting agency may not release a consumer's credit report or information derived from the credit report to a third party that intends to use the information to determine a consumer's eligibility for credit or the opening of a new account without prior authorization from the consumer.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, a consumer reporting agency may communicate to a third party requesting a consumer's credit report that a security freeze is in effect on the consumer's credit report. If a third party requesting a consumer's credit report in connection with the consumer's application for credit is notified of the existence of a security freeze under this subsection, the third party may treat the consumer's application as incomplete.

(d) Upon receiving a request from a consumer under subsection (a) of this section, the consumer reporting agency shall:

(i) Place a security freeze on the consumer's credit report within five (5) business days after receiving the consumer's request;

(ii) Send a written confirmation of the security freeze to the consumer within ten (10) business days after placing the security freeze; and

(iii) Provide the consumer with a unique personal identification number or password to be used by the consumer when providing authorizations for removal or temporary lift of the security freeze.

(e) A consumer reporting agency shall require proper identification of the consumer requesting to place, remove, or temporarily lift a security freeze.

(f) A consumer reporting agency shall develop a contact method to receive and process a consumer's request to place, remove or temporarily lift a security freeze. The contact method shall include:

(i) A postal address;

(ii) An electronic contact method chosen by the consumer reporting agency, which may include the use of fax, Internet or other electronic means; and

(iii) The use of telephone in a manner that is consistent with any federal requirements placed on the consumer reporting agency.

(g) A security freeze placed under this section may be removed or temporarily lifted only in accordance with W.S. 40-12-504.