Bill offers safeguards against identity theft

by Matt Hutton
Staff Writer

Few things can damage a credit rating like identity theft. Soon though, criminals might have one less avenue to steal identities through credit card numbers.

An Ohio Senate bill proposed by Bob Spada, R-Parma Heights, would permit only the last four numbers of a credit card to appear on a sales receipt. The bill, now in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, also would prohibit printing the card’s expiration date, which often is used as a pin number.

“We’re always trying to safeguard people’s identity and safeguard their assets and not have the hassle and monumental amount of paperwork to be done when identity is stolen,” Spada said.

Losing a credit card receipt can be just as detrimental as losing the card itself, Spada said. Identity theft can occur if a criminal is able to obtain someone’s credit card number.

Criminals could use this information to place orders online or over the phone and have items shipped wherever they wanted, Spada said.

Another way criminals could damage someone’s credit rating is through social security numbers, said John LaMotte, acting director of the Athens Social Security Office.

“They can use that as a basis to get access to credit history or run up bills,” LaMotte said.

Some criminals use a stolen social security number if stopped for a traffic violation, he said. The violations can be cleared from the victim’s record, but it often takes time and money to prove one’s innocence, LaMotte said.

Ohio has taken steps to help prevent identity theft. For example, a law was enacted at the end of January to remove social security numbers from drivers’ licenses.

“The removal is just another security measure to help protect citizens,” said China Dodley, public information officer for the Department of Public Safety.

LaMotte offered a few suggestions for residents who believe their identity has been stolen.

First, residents should contact their credit offices and major credit agencies to alert companies of the possible fraud, he said. They also should contact anyone who might have that data and alert them to the situation as well.

People who suspect they might be victims of identity theft also can call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.