SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

FARMINGDALE
Monday, November 21, 2005
12:00 p.m.

The Little Theatre, Roosevelt Hall
Farmingdale State
Farmingdale, NY

Identity theft costs consumers and businesses millions of dollars each year. In 2004, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 17,000 complaints of identity theft from New York residents. One potential tool in the fight against identity theft is locking, or freezing, access to consumer credit reports. This prevents identity thieves from taking out new loans and credit in the name of their victim. A consumer who places a security freeze is provided a unique PIN or password that must be given to a credit reporting agency each time the consumer wants to allow access to their credit information.

The purpose of this hearing is to examine the need for a security freeze law to combat identity theft in New York State and, if there is such need, what form should a law authorizing security freezes take. The hearing will also investigate procedures for placing and removing a security freeze, the advantages and disadvantages of placing a freeze, and the experience of states that have implemented laws that allow their residents to place a security freeze.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only and limited to ten minute durations. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact persons listed on the reply form. In order to publicize the hearing further, please inform interested parties of the Committees' interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Senate and Assembly, in accordance with their policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate and Assembly facilities and activities.

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on Security Freeze to be held on November 21, 2005, or who wish to submit written testimony only, are requested to complete and return this reply form to:

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