Dear Governor Rendell,
Senate
Bill 180 was voted out of Appropriations today and is eligible for full
passage by the Senate. SB 180, sponsored by Senator Jake Corman, gives
consumers the ability to proactively freeze access to their credit
reports. The Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG)
urges you to support this bill.
Simply
stated, a security freeze is the single most effective tool consumers
can use to prevent identity theft. Security freezes allow consumers to
prevent anyone from using their credit reports for the purposes of
granting credit without their specific authorization. When an imposter
seeks credit in a consumer’s name, the creditor checks the credit
reporting file. If the file is frozen, the creditor will deny the
thief’s credit application. Consumers legitimately applying for credit
can lift the freeze so particular creditors can see their files. When
the consumer is not seeking credit, the security freeze effectively
prevents anyone else from getting credit in the consumer’s name.
The
legislation allows each of the credit bureaus to charge a $10 fee to
consumers who wish to freeze their reports, and another $10 to lift
that freeze. Victims of identity theft and seniors do not have to pay
these fees. While PennPIRG believes that no consumer should have to pay
a fee to protect their personal financial information, we believe SB
180 is a significant step forward in preventing identity theft. SB 180
provides an efficient and sensible way to protect Pennsylvanians before
they become victims of identity theft. Approximately 23 other states
already give consumers the right to freeze their credit reports, and
Pennsylvanians should be given that same ability. Every day without
freeze legislation is another day consumers are unnecessarily exposed
to identity theft.
PennPIRG asks that you put the full support of your administration behind SB 180. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim Swoyer
Public Interest Advocate
PennPIRG
