Testimony Archive

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. PennPIRG urges that you vote in favor of this important consumer protection before the Senate adjourns for the summer. This legislation is vital for protecting Pennsylvanians from identity theft, and it is important that we be able to begin work on passing SB 180 in the House as soon as possible.

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. Please vote in favor of this legislation before adjourning for the summer. Approximately 23 other states already give consumers the right to freeze their credit reports, and Pennsylvanians should be given those same abilities. Every day without freeze legislation is another day consumers are unnecessarily exposed to identity theft.

Thank you,

Jim Swoyer
Public Interest Advocate
PennPIRG