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Massachusetts ID Theft Bill Includes Credit Freezes

Posted on Aug 4, 2007 by Tom Fragala

Massachusetts finally got an ID theft prevention bill passed and signed into law. It includes credit freezes (for victims and non-victims), data breach notification requirements, and destruction of documents with sensitive data. Unforunately, none of the stories I saw state when the law takes effect, including the AP story. That’s an important detail; disappointing the reporters left that out. If you know the answer, post a comment and please link to the reference.

From Government Technology:

The new law requires businesses and government agencies to promptly notify affected consumers if their personal information, including social security and license numbers, have been lost or stolen. It also enables consumers to freeze access to their credit reports to prevent identity thieves from establishing credit in their names and caps the fees to place, lift or remove the freeze at $5.

Under the new law, the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Division of Public Records will set regulations for how businesses and government agencies must protect consumers' information to prevent data breaches. The law also requires documents containing personal information to be burned, pulverized or shredded. An additional provision allows identity theft victims to obtain a copy of their police report from any law enforcement office regardless of where the theft occurred. Consumers need police reports to qualify for a free credit freeze.