Rep. Camillo Introduces Credit Freeze Bill In State Legislature

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich State Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151st) last week submitted legislation to - and testified before - the Connecticut General Assembly’s joint Banking Committee on S.B. 472, An Act Concerning Fees for Security Freezes on Credit Reports, Notification of a Consumer’s Decision to Place or Remove a Security Freeze on a Credit Report and the Duration of Certain Identity Theft Prevention Services Required After a Data Breach.

The intent of this legislation is to prohibit credit rating agencies from charging a fee to consumers to place or remove a security freeze from the consumer's account. Additionally, the bill requires credit rating agencies to notify other credit rating agencies of a consumer's request to place or remove a security freeze from such consumer's account, and increase the amount of identity theft prevention or mitigation services provided after a security breach.

"I was moved to introduce legislation on this topic this year after a constituent alerted me to the practice of
credit agencies charging a fee to unlock a credit freeze," said Camillo in a statement. "While I am not in favor of that practice, I am even more concerned about when the freeze is initiated by the credit agency and not the
consumer. In that case, the obligation to pay a fee to unlock the credit freeze seems both punitive and without
merit."

During the short session (even years), bill proposals not related to the biennial state budget must be submitted to the appropriate committee.

If S.B. 472 receives a favorable report from the Banking Committee, the bill will be sent to the House and Senate Chambers where it may be called for a vote.

Photo: Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151st) testifying on March 15 in favor of a credit freeze bill. Photo credit: CT House Republicans