Friday, June 24, 2005

New Jersey passes Identity Theft Prevention Act

The proposed Identity Theft Prevention Act breezed through (unanimously!) both houses of the NJ legislature yesterday and will come into force on January 1, 2006.

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!:

"Fast facts

Key provisions of the Identity Theft Prevention Act:

  • Consumers may place a 'security freeze' on their credit files at no cost, prohibiting the information from being released to a third party without the consumer's express authorization.
  • Exempt from the prohibition are law enforcement agencies, the Division of Taxation and financial institutions with which the consumer has an existing relationship.
  • Customer records must be destroyed by businesses and government agencies, excluding the federal government, when they are no longer needed.
  • Security breaches of computerized records must be disclosed by any business or agency that conducts business in New Jersey 'in the most expedient time possible.'
  • Social Security numbers may not be printed on identity cards or materials sent through the mail, unless required by state or federal law."

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