Raleigh – The House unanimously passed legislation to protect veterans, active duty military and members of the National Guard from identity theft on Thursday.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Bruce Goforth, D-Buncombe, in response to the news of a recent theft of a federal government database that included the names, Social Security numbers and birthdates of 26.5 million veterans across the nation.
“We need to be proactive and protect our veterans from becoming a potential victim of identity theft,” Rep. Michael H. Wray said. “It is important for our brave veterans and active duty servicemen and women to know those of us in state government support them and are working for them.”
The legislation, House Bill 2883, which will next be heard in the Senate, would exempt veterans, active servicemen and members of the National Guard from the fee charged to place a freeze on a credit report. Under current law, anyone who has not experienced identity theft must pay no more than $10 to place a freeze on their credit report.
North Carolina is home to more than 770,000 veterans and 90,000 active duty members of the military. Surviving spouses of military personnel can also get a credit freeze under the proposal, and family members can act on behalf of active-duty personnel overseas.
Legislators passed the Identity Theft Protection Act during the 2005 session, which allowed consumers to place a security “freeze” on their credit reports. The new law prohibits credit reporting agencies from releasing any information about the consumer to new creditors without the consumer’s approval, making it difficult for an identity thief to open an account or obtain credit in your name.
Veterans who suspect identity theft should call (800) FED-INFO or (800) 333-4636 or go to: www.firstgov.gov/veteransinfo.shtml.