The Senate Site: Identity Fraud Protection

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Monday, February 06, 2006

Identity Fraud Protection

By Carlene Walker
Utah State Senator, District 8

As the threat and reality of identity theft increases, legislation to protect each individual’s personal information and credit becomes increasingly important.

I am sponsoring Senate Bill 71, a bill that will provide a pro-active, preventative way for you to protect yourself from identity theft. It would allow consumers to place a “freeze” on their credit information with each of the three national credit bureaus. This would restrict credit checks unless specifically requested by the individual.

Similar legislation has been enacted in 12 other states. However, these laws allow the credit bureaus three days to “unfreeze” an individual’s credit. This places a burden on business as it eliminates instant credit. The bill I am sponsoring would require the credit bureaus to “unfreeze” an individual’s credit in 15 minutes.

Two years in the crafting has made this bill business-friendly and the credit bureaus have agreed to an eighteen month implementation period.

This bill was given favorable recommendation by the Business and Labor committee and currently awaits debate on the floor.

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