HB 1311 Credit reports; authorizes consumer to freeze access thereto

About HB-1311

Freezing access to credit reports. Authorizes any consumer to freeze access to his credit report. If a consumer has placed a freeze on his credit report, a consumer reporting agency is prohibited from releasing the credit report, or any information in it, without the consumer's express authorization. The measure provides a means by which a consumer can release his report, permanently, temporarily, or to a specific third party. Certain disclosures are exempt from the freeze. A fee of up to $10 may be charged for establishing a freeze, except identity theft victims are not required to pay a fee. A person who willfully fails to comply with the requirements is liable to a consumer for actual damages of between $100 and $1,000, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. A person who negligently fails to comply with the requirements is liable to a consumer for actual damages and reasonable attorney fees. The Attorney General is authorized to take enforcement actions.