Lawmakers Work to Address Identity Theft Problem

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A new report by the state attorney general's office says Maryland now ranks 11th in the nation in the number of identity theft victims.

One proposal to fight identity theft, which has the endorsement of the state attorney general's office, requires consumers be notified when their personal information has been breached.

The attorney general's office has also backed Senate Bill 487 and a House bill under draft that would allow consumers to instruct a credit bureau to restrict access to their credit reports.

Howard County Delegate Neil Quinter, a victim of identity theft himself, has proposed freezing accounts to prevent thieves from opening new ones in a consumer's name.

House Bill 630 would require businesses to destroy or secure records that contain a customer's personal information.

An identity theft task force will look into allowing victims the option of submitting sworn testimony in court, creating a victim database and restricting the use of Social Security numbers.