Posted: | January 27, 2015 01:33 PM |
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From: | Representative Michael H. Schlossberg |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Credit Freeze Protection for Minors |
Many of our constituents, as well as numerous members of the General Assembly, have been victims of identity theft. This, of course, can cause a victim credit problems for years and possibly decades. These credit problems are amplified when the Social Security number of a minor or other protected consumer (such as a disabled person) is used to apply for government benefits, to open bank or credit card accounts, or to apply for housing or utility services. As adults, we can check our credit report and score on a relatively frequent basis. We can do the same for our children or minor’s in our care: however, unfortunately, credit reports only show the identify theft after the fact. A security freeze can be used as a preventative measure to safeguard against identity theft in the first place. To that end, I will introduce legislation that would change the Credit Reporting Agency Act to allow a qualified representative of a minor to obtain a security freeze on behalf of a minor or those for whom a guardian or conservator is appointed. This valuable tool prevents consumer reporting agencies from releasing credit information to a third party without prior express authorization from the consumer. Other states, such as Wisconsin, have undertaken similar measures. Current Pennsylvania law allows individuals to obtain a security freeze, but does not make provisions for parents or guardians to obtain a security freeze for a minor or those under their care. My legislation would change that and provide parents and guardians an important tool to protect the identity of those in their care. With these protections we can prevent identity thieves from victimizing families and better assist law enforcement in the effort to combat identity theft. |
Introduced as HB452