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MUNSON'S LEGISLATION TO PROTECT ID VICTIMS FROM CREDIT DISCRIMINATION
UNANIMOUSLY PASSES HOUSE
ELGIN - A bill sponsored by State Representative Ruth Munson (R-Elgin) to protect identity theft victims from credit discrimination based upon damage done to their credit rating unanimously passed the Illinois House 113-0 on Wednesday.
House Bill 2696 is included in the Identity Theft Prevention Package recently unveiled by Munson and her House Republican colleagues at a press conference in Springfield. Under this bill, it is unlawful to deny a person credit or public utility service, or reduce his/her credit limit, solely because of the fact that he/she has been a victim of identity theft, if the consumer:
1. Has provided a copy of an identity theft report which evidences the claim.
2. Has provided a properly completed copy of a standardized affidavit of identity theft or an affidavit of fact that is acceptable to the person for that purpose.
3. Has obtained placement of an extended fraud alert in his/her file maintained by a nationwide consumer reporting agency.
4. Is able to establish his or her identity and address to the satisfaction of the entity providing credit or utility services.
"There are cases where victims of identity theft do everything right and still spend years dealing with problems related to identity theft," said Munson. "This legislation seeks to ease a person's problems stemming from identity theft by preventing credit companies and public utilities from denying service if the individual provides proof that he or she was a victim of identity theft."
House Bill 2696 next moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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