HB222: Credit reports; consumer authorized to freeze access thereto, penalty.

Chief Patron

Del. Dwight Jones (D-70)

Status

Bill is Dead

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Summary

Identity theft; security freezes; penalty.  Authorizes any consumer to freeze access to his credit report. If a consumer has placed a freeze on his credit report, a consumer reporting agency is prohibited from releasing the credit report, or any information in it, without the consumer’s express authorization. The measure provides a means by which a consumer can release his report, permanently, temporarily, or to a specific third party. Consumer reporting agencies may charge a consumer no more than $20 for each freeze, removal of the freeze, or temporary lift of the freeze. Violations are punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. A person violating the requirements is liable to an injured person for the greater of actual damages or $1,000, and reasonable costs and attorney fees.   View Full Text »