OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES SECURITY FREEZE BILL

The Ohio General Assembly passed Ohio H.B. 46 to permit Ohio consumers to request that a security freeze be placed on the consumer's credit report. The bill is waiting for the Governor's signature, which is expected soon. The bill provides that it takes effect September 1, 2008.

A security freeze is defined as a restriction on a credit report that prohibits a consumer credit reporting agency from releasing the consumer's credit report without express authorization from the consumer. The bill contains various exceptions to the security freeze provisions. A consumer reporting agency may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed $5 for placing a security freeze on a consumer's credit report and a similar fee may be charged to remove or temporarily lift the security freeze.

A consumer may file a civil action against a consumer credit reporting agency that fails to comply with the security freeze provisions.

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like a copy of the bill.

Elizabeth Anstaett and Darrell Dreher