ID Theft and Victim's Bill of Rights Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet of An Act Regarding Public Safety and Policing Practices to Prevent Identity Theft

Due to the increasing amounts of financial information banks and businesses are collecting from consumers, it is becoming easier for identity thieves to gain access to people’s personal information. 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity fraud in 2003, including almost 10,000 people in Massachusetts.

An Act to Prevent Regarding Public Safety and Police Practices To Prevent Identity Theft will protect consumers from identity theft and help victims. The bill by State Sen. Jarrett Barrios, State Rep. Michael Costello and State Rep. William Strauss includes:

1. Security Freezes - Prohibits consumer reporting agencies from releasing a consumer’s credit report without authorization of the consumer.
2. Notification of Security Breaches - This requires a procedure of notice and response in the event that personal data has been breached.
3. Police Reports - Entitling a consumer to file a local police report if he/she suspects identity theft.
4. Penalties - Increases the penalties for convicted identity thieves.
5. EOPS Study – Requires that the Executive Office of Public Safety form a commission to study the problem of identity theft in the Commonwealth and the resources available to citizens to combat identity theft.
6. Social Security Number Protection - No data collector can release an individual’s Social Security Number to the public.

Comments

[Daniel Keen]

Daniel Keen has written a number of articles on the subject of identity theft and how to prevent it. For more tips and resources visithttp://preventingidentitythefts.com. You may also want to consider taking outidentity theft insurance. Help others protect themselves by visiting the site and sending in youridentity theft stories.

[Mr. Weebles]

RE: EOPS Study – Requires that the Executive Office of Public Safety form a commission to study the problem of identity theft in the Commonwealth and the resources available to citizens to combat identity theft.

What would this commission cost the taxpayers and what would it hope to accomplish? Who would be part of the commission?