Between 1,000 and 1,300 Montanans have contacted each of the three major credit reporting agencies in the country since July 1, asking that their credit reports be frozen and the contents not shared, the head of the state's office of consumer protection said Monday.

"I'm quite pleased with this number," said Michelle Truax, who said TransUnion, Equifax and Experian each told her they had heard from more than a thousand Montanans since the law allowing credit freezes here went into effect July 1.

Nearly four-fifths of all states currently allow citizens to deny access to their credit reports, considered a major deterrent to identity theft.

Most banks, credit card companies and other lenders won't allow new accounts to be opened without getting a credit score from one of the three agencies, so freezing account access helps thwart criminals who acquire credit in other people's names.

Truax, who makes consumer protection presentations to groups around the state, said the topic of freezing credit is among the most popular.

"People ask a lot of questions," she said. "You have to sit down and fill out a form, and it does take some time."

The freeze costs $3 per agency, or $9 total for all three. It has to be done in writing, and each agency has a mailing address specifically for Montanans wishing to deny access to their credit histories.

Truax said the ability to freeze credit reports is available to everyone, not just people who have been victims of identity theft.

"Anybody can do it, and it gives you that ultimate control of your credit history," she said.

Truax noted that consumers who freeze their credit histories but then want to open a new credit card, buy a car or even apply for a new job can have their accounts temporarily thawed for a specific inquiry or for a certain period of time.

She noted that while requests must be in writing for now, Internet requests must be accepted by 2009. She's pleased with Montanans' response so far, but said more people would benefit from protecting their credit.

"We've got people talking. Now we've got to get people moving," she said.

Reporter John Harrington: 447-4080 or john.harrington@

helenair.com