BBB ALERT: Proposed New Law Would Help Curb Id Theft

Proposed New Law Would Help Curb Id Theft

Meeting Date: August 29, 2006 Location: Armstrong Atlantic University (lunchroom) Time: 6-8p.m. Topic: Identity Theft Forum Speakers Ross Howard, Jeanne O’Brien, David Locke Agencies BBB, SALT, FTC, AARP Ga. August 16, 2006

(Savannah, Ga) AARP Georgia, local law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau are currently working with the Georgia House of Representatives to pass proposed legislation (HB 966) that would help protect consumers from the increasing incidents of identity theft.

If your business relies on pulling credit information, you need to be aware of the proposed legislation and provide input regarding the law.<P> The Better Business Bureau and Consumer Development, Inc.* work to educate people with regard to identity theft and often helps consumers, who are potential I.D. Theft, victims report to the proper agencies. At this time 23 states have adopted this type of legislation and Georgia will likely adopt some version of the "Freeze" law.

Without going into all of the details, the new law would allow consumers to "freeze" their information with the three credit reporting agencies and then subsequently "Thaw" the info when a credit check is needed. This information includes their full credit report. The result is a deterrent to identity theft because a thief in possession of Social Security numbers and other information necessary to establish credit fraudulently will not be able to do so because the company, the thief applies to, will be unable to access a credit report.

There will be a time issue with the freeze and thawing of a report. The individual may either write or through a web site, have the credit frozen. When the individual wants to allow a company access to his/her credit report, the thaw may take a few days before the information is readily available. This delay in a company's ability to gain a report could impact sales.

A community forum on identity theft will be held on AUG 29 at Armstrong Atlantic University. The forum will be held in the dining facility from 6-8pm. Ross Howard from the BBB, a representative from the Federal Trade Commission and Jeanne O'Brien from Georgia Legal Services will provide an overview of Identity theft along with Chief Assistant District Attorney, David Locke. Will Phillips, from Atlanta AARP will discuss the proposed legislation.

AARP Georgia, The SALT Council and the Better Business Bureau/CDI are sponsoring the event. They plan to invite elected officials and candidates to be present at the meeting. Businesses are encouraged to come and learn about the proposed law and will have an opportunity to provide input at the forum.

The Better Business Bureau is in favor of any law that helps stop the crime of Identity Theft. Additionally, the BBB would like for businesses to have an opportunity to become involved in the creation of a law that may have an impact on the way companies conduct business.

I believe we can get businesses and consumers together and they can help us promote a law that will be good for both. Decreasing fraud is of interest to any company that has to write off losses as a result to identity theft. Likewise, a business that needs quick and properly authorized access to credit reports should have the ability to do so within a fair and reasonable time.

Ross Howard, President /CEO, Better Business Bureau, Southeast Atlantic, Inc. And President/ CEO Consumer Development, Inc.

Contact the BBB/ CDI for a draft of the Model State Clean Credit and Identity Theft Protection Act

*Consumer Development, Inc. is a 501c(3) foundation of the Better Business Bureau Southeast Atlantic, Inc. and works to provide information and education to consumers. contact: Ross Howard, President /CEO >P> 912-354-7523

(rhiii@bellsouth.net)