Identity theft bill’s passage unanimous

04/11/2006

The Minnesota Senate united Monday to approve safeguards against identity theft for consumers and provide help for victims who are trying to clean up their records.

The bill from Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, would allow Minnesotans to put security freezes on their credit reports and control who gets the information. It passed 65-0.

Other provisions include a database of innocent victims of identity theft, accessible to law enforcement; the ability for consumers to block portions of credit reports related to identity theft; and stronger notification requirements for business security breaches that could expose consumers to identity theft.

“This crime affects people of all ages and all areas of the state,” Sparks said.

The legislation also would require businesses to burn, pulverize or shred documents containing personal information on customers, including names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.

Credit card companies would have to verify applications if an address didn’t match up with the address they had on file. If the companies failed to do so, the customer wouldn’t have to pay.

—Associated Press