Law Now Protects Social Security Numbers
By: States: Tennessee Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2008-01-17 15:48:23.376332-05:00
Tennessee businesses are now prohibited from including Social Security numbers in consumer mailings or requiring them to be used as identification on the Internet.
The restrictions are part of a new law pushed by AARP called the Credit Security Act, which was approved unanimously by state lawmakers last spring in hopes of preventing identity theft.
"It's appalling that if a thief gets your name, Social Security number and date of birth, he can buy something or establish credit in your name. We applaud the Legislature and the governor for trying to keep consumers safe," said AARP Tennessee President Margot Seay.
Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in the U.S., with an estimated 15 million victims last year, according to AARP research. Some 23 percent of all identity theft complaints came from people age 50 or older, the Federal Trade Commission says.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the new law requires businesses, nonprofit organizations and governments to make "reasonable efforts" to protect Social Security numbers, specifically outlawing their use on identification cards or for public display. It also restricts the use of Social Security numbers in materials mailed to consumers or to access Internet Web sites.
Starting in 2009, each violation will be a Class B misdemeanor. Violations can be reported to the state Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-342-8385.
As part of the law's provisions, Comptroller John Morgan was to review current state and local practices on protecting Social Security numbers and make recommendations to the Legislature.
The Christmas-time theft of two laptop computers containing the Social Security numbers of 337,000 voters in Nashville should raise warning flags that lawmakers need to take further action on this issue. AARP Tennessee plans to work with lawmakers this year to further extend protection of Social Security numbers used by government entities.
The new Credit Security Act also will enable consumers to control access to their credit files through an affordable and easily accessible "security freeze." The act is one of several across the country that led to a voluntary decision by the three largest credit bureaus to provide a credit freeze for $10 to consumers.
Beginning Sept. 1 in Tennessee, consumers can sign up by mail with each of the credit bureaus, which can charge no more than $7.50. Electronic sign-up will begin Jan. 31, 2009.
When a person is ready to make a major purchase or apply for credit, he or she can lift the freeze temporarily by phone or email within 15 minutes. There will be no charge for temporarily lifting the freeze and reinstating it.
Share
preview