Model State Clean Credit and Identity Theft Protection Act
Last updated August 2007
THE CLEAN CREDIT AND IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT: MODEL STATE LAWS
THE CLEAN CREDIT AND IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION
ACT: MODEL STATE LAW
Consumers Union of U.S., Inc and the state Public Interest
Research Groups
Updated August 2007
For more information contact the editors:
Gail Hillebrand and Michelle Jun of Consumers Union (415)431-6747
Ed Mierzwinski of U.S. PIRG (202)546-9707 x 314
Model State Clean Credit and Identity Theft Protection Act Page 1
Last updated August 2007
THE CLEAN CREDIT AND IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT: MODEL STATE LAWS INTRODUCTION
What this model law does:
This model identity theft legislation offers consumers with protections from
identity theft. This model law was first issued in 2004, and it provided a
framework for state bills, particularly on security freezes and notice of data
breach, throughout the country. Most of the changes in this August 2007
revision are updates to reflect key improvements that have been adopted, or
considered, in state legislatures. In six sections, the model act addresses:
• Social Security Number Protection;
• Security Freeze;
• Prevention of and Protection From Security Breaches;
• Right to File a Police Report Regarding Identity Theft;
• Adequate Destruction of Personal Records; and
• Severability Clause.
SECTION 1: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER PROTECTION-COLLECTION AND USE BY PRIVATE
BUSINESSES
COMMENTARY
This simple measure focuses on a going-forward basis on reducing the risk
of identity theft from stolen SSNs by reducing the instances in which SSNs
can be requested, collected, mailed, printed on wallet cards, used as
passwords, and solicited over the Internet without encryption.
• Stops most requests for, collection of, and mailing of the SSN. Stops
collection of the SSN by private businesses for purposes beyond credit, taxes,
employment