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Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's identifying information, such as their name, Social Security number, credit card number or other financial information, without permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft continues to generate the most complaints with the Federal Trade Commission.
The chart below lists state legislation introduced or pending during the 2015 legislative session relating to identity theft. Legislation in 29 states and Puerto Rico is pending in the 2015 legislative session and includes legislation regarding criminal penalties, identity theft passports and identity theft prevention. Ninety-nine bills were introduced or pending and 18 bills and resolutions were enacted or adopted in 2015.
Seven states—Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah—enacted bills addressing consumer report security freezes for minors to prevent identity theft. Arizona prescribed intent requirements and civil remedies in regard to prohibited conduct relating to false representations of the identity of online businesses. The bill required that the prohibited conduct be done with the intent to commit fraud or theft. Connecticut amended existing law's security breach notification requirements applicable to any person who conducts business in Connecticut to require the person to offer at least one year of free identity theft prevention and mitigation services. Florida required business entities to provide copies of business records of fraudulent transactions involving identity theft to victims and law enforcement agencies in certain circumstances.
Two states—Massachusetts and Nevada—enacted legislation specifying free credit reports for children in the foster care system. Michigan modified the Identity Theft Protection Act to require all reporting agencies to report all seizure and forfeiture activities under the Act to the Department of State Police. Montana increased the penalties for the theft of a minor's identity. New Jersey provides for the expungement of certain records for identity theft victims. In a resolution, Pennsylvania recognized the month of April 2015 as "Child Identity Theft Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Washington reauthorized and expanded the financial fraud and identity theft crimes investigation and prosecution program to Snohomish County.
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