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Tough Identity Theft Protections Enacted
After several years of MASSPIRG advocacy, new identity theft protections will go into effect in Massachusetts on November 1. The new protections are the result of the Identity Theft Prevention Bill, which Gov. Patrick signed into law on Aug. 3.
How The New Law Works
The new law sets standards for how consumer information is protected and disposed of by businesses and government agencies. It requires entities that store consumers’ data to notify affected individuals if it is lost or stolen. The law also allows consumers to proactively prevent identity thieves from opening credit in their name by blocking access to their credit reports.
Starting this November, consumers in Massachusetts can contact the three credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, to set up a credit report security freeze.
Since the beginning of 2005, the personal data of millions of Americans has been exposed due to an increasing number of security breaches at businesses and government agencies. In Massachusetts, high profile security breaches at the Boston Globe, Worcester Telegram, Fidelity Investments, the Department of Veterans Affairs and TJX Company have jeopardized the records of hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents.
Massachusetts became the 37th state to pass a law designed to address the growing crime of identity theft. Key legislators involved in the passage of the bill include state Reps. Michael Costello and William Straus, former Sen. Jarrett Barrios, Rep. Michael Rodrigues and Sen. Michael Morrissey (the Joint House and Senate Chairs of the Consumer Protection Committee), Attorney General Martha Coakley, and Office of Consumer Affairs Director Dan Crane. |
