In an attempt to stem the growing problem of identity theft, the House on Monday passed a bill that would let consumers freeze access to their credit reports.
Lawmakers voted 59-6 to pass Senate Bill 137, which would give consumers the power to prevent credit reporting bureaus from letting anyone else access their data.
That would help keep thieves from using the personal information needed to apply for credit in someone else’s name, said Rex Wilmouth of Colorado Public Interest Research Group, a proponent of the bill.
He called the legislation “a victory for consumers to help them protect themselves against identity theft.
“It helps prevent identity theft because everybody can actually do it,” he said.
Under the bill, it would be free to request a freeze. To lift the lock, however, consumers would have to pay $10.
The bill now heads to conference, where lawmakers from the House and the Senate will attempt to reconcile the differences in their respective versions of the legislation.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-820-1633 or cfrates@denverpost.com.
