Senator Larry Mumper

In his weekly newsletter, State Senator Larry Mumper discusses how the legislature has been working to offer better protection of our identity.

Currently, one can view a popular television commercial in which a credit card company boasts of its identity theft protection services.  While watching the commercial's main character go to great lengths to secure his credit information might be amusing, the unfortunate reality is that identity theft is a crime that encompasses more than just credit cards.  Due to the high volume of personal information we transfer daily by phone or online, criminals have easier access to Social Security numbers and other important details, which they often use to go on shopping sprees, rent apartments or even open banking accounts at the expense of another person. (Audio interview included.)

In fact, this crime has been growing not only in our state, but also in the U.S. as a whole.  According to Identity Theft 911, a nationwide ID theft recovery service, nearly 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft every year.  And, in Ohio alone, the number of victims has increased almost 100 percent since 2002.  As a result of identity theft, Ohioans have lost approximately $2.4 billion within the last year.

With the hope of easing the personal stress and stabilizing the shaky financial ground identity theft has caused for many Ohioans, the General Assembly recently passed a comprehensive consumer protection law.  House Bill 46, sponsored by State Representative Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens) grants Ohioans more control over their credit reports, in addition to expanding law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecute identity thieves.  This legislation was developed in conjunction with State Senator Tom Niehaus' (R-New Richmond) Senate Bill 6, which contains the same provisions.

Under H.B. 46, consumers who believe they are victims of identity theft can ask a credit reporting agency to place a freeze on their credit reports, which blocks others from establishing credit in their names.  The bill provides that this service should cost the consumer no more than $5, and if identity theft has indeed taken place, it should be free.  Also, once a credit report has been frozen, it can only be accessed by specifically authorized individuals and can be briefly "thawed" if the consumer so desires.

In addition, H.B. 46 extends the time period in which identity thieves can be prosecuted.  Currently, the statute of limitations for criminal and civil offenses is one year and four years respectively from the time of the discovery of identity theft.  With this legislation, identity thieves can be prosecuted for both criminal and civil offenses for five years after the discovery of the crime.

Finally, this bill requires public officials to establish security policies that will protect Ohioans' personal information.  For example, online information, such as Social Security numbers, must be encrypted or truncated before it can be posted.  Moreover, law enforcement will be granted funds from the Office of Criminal Justices Services to update computer technology and improve training in order to better secure personal information and stop identity thieves.

H.B. 46 received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, and due to legislators' hard work, I believe that Ohioans will be able to feel more secure with their personal information.  Nevertheless, another important part of a good defense is protecting oneself.  Therefore, I would like to remind you to be active in combating identity theft by logging your financial transactions and requesting a free annual credit report, for which everyone is eligible.

To obtain your free annual credit report, call 1-877-322-8228 or visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com/.  If you would like to learn more about H.B. 46, please go to the General Assembly's website at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/.

As always, I welcome your views on state issues.  If you have any questions, thoughts or concerns, or if you need assistance working with a state government agency, please write to me:  Senator Larry A. Mumper, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or call my office at (614) 466-8049.

Senator Mumper was featured on "Zell on the Bell" Friday morning.

He opened the show with some strong words regarding former attorney general Marc Dann.

Listen to his comments.

Governor Strickland has yet to appoint the state's next attorney general.

You can hear local and state leaders like Mr. Mumper each Friday morning at nine with host Will Zell on 1390 WBLL.