Anti-identity theft bill in the works
Arstechnica says the actual bill has surfaced:
Specter and Leahy's bill would require businesses across the nation to make data security breaches public. Those that do not could face criminal prosecution.
According to a summary obtained by Reuters, the bill also would sharply limit the trade in Social Security numbers that can be used in identity theft. Businesses would not be able to require consumers to reveal their Social Security numbers in return for goods or services, and they would be forbidden to buy or sell Social Security numbers without consumer permission.
Consumers would also be able to access the profiles maintained by data brokers like ChoicePoint and fix any errors, as they are currently able to do with credit reports.
Businesses would have to protect consumer accounts from unauthorized access, and criminal penalties for such activity would be increased.
Update:
Lifehacker has an article on How to protect your identity
and
ID Theft Tips
Posted by volubis at June 30, 2005 09:01 PM