Identity theft protection measure to become law tomorrow

Credit security act to be signed

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

To the delight of the AARP and other consumer groups, the "Credit Security Act of 2007" will be signed in law tomorrow by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The legislation is being hailed by consumer groups as a major step toward combating identity theft.

Approved by the Tennessee General Assembly earlier this session, the new law protects individual Social Security numbers by requiring state business and governmental entities to make reasonable efforts to prevent disclosure.

Another major component of the law will be that Tennesseans will have the opportunity to voluntarily block access to their credit information by placing a freeze on their credit report. Basically, if someone gets your personal information, such as your Social Security number and date of birth, they can't buy a car or set up a credit card in your name as long as the freeze is in place.

Bredesen is expected to sign the bill into law tomorrow afternoon.