via CNYLink:
Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C, Syracuse) said that a bill (S8376A) he cosponsored to help prevent identity theft in New York has become law. The law establishes the crime of unlawful possession of a “skimmer” device and protects personal information in several other ways.
[…]
Several other measures recently went into effect (January 3, 2009), including the following key provisions:
– Establishing a process for identity theft victims to receive information and assistance from the Consumer Protection Board (CPB);
– Allowing consumers to request a freeze on their credit reports via telephone or secure electronic means;
– Prohibiting the filing of documents available for public inspection that contain social security numbers;
– Restricting employers from posting or displaying more than the last four digits of an employee’s social security number, or placing social security numbers in files with open access; and
– Enabling victims of identity theft to obtain restitution for the time they spend fixing their credit and financial history.
Read more in CNYLink