Maryland PIRG respectfully requests
a favorable reports of HB 1096, HB 1107, HB 1109, HB 1113.
Maryland PIRG is a statewide non-profit, nonpartisan public
interest advocacy organization. We served on the legislative task force on
identity theft throughout the summer of 2007 which held numerous hearings. A
number of these bills are direct recommendations of that task force.
Maryland
consumers need greater protection from identity theft. We commend lawmakers for
taking action on security breach and security freeze legislation in the 2007
General Assembly session, but recognize that criminals continue to steal
identities across Maryland
and wreak havoc for the victims and that we need stronger protections and
penalties to curb the rates of identity theft.
The 4 bills mentioned above create stronger safeguards of
consumers’ sensitive personal financial information. HB 1109 protects consumers’
financial information by restricting who can store database information
containing personal financial records, HB 1096 gives victims greater rights in the
case of seized property, HB 1107 allows certain materials to be considered
evidence if an ID theft victim acknowledges the authenticity of the material, and
HB 1113 increases the penalties for criminals found guilty of identity theft.
Maryland PIRG respectfully requests
a favorable reports of HB 1096, HB 1107, HB 1109, HB 1113.
