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SB 712 - This act prohibits a retailer from advertising the after-rebate price of a good or service unless the retailer will honor the rebate at the time of purchase. Violations shall be considered unlawful merchandising practices, which the Attorney General currently has authority to prosecute. The act allows a consumer to request that a "security freeze" be placed on his or her credit report, which prohibits credit reporting agencies from releasing the consumer's credit report without specific authorization from the consumer. Credit reporting agencies are directed to place a freeze on any consumer's credit report within five days of the receipt of such a request. The reporting agency must notify the consumer in writing within ten days of enacting the security freeze and must provide instructions for removing or temporarily lifting the freeze. Credit reporting agencies may issue credit reports subject to a freeze in certain circumstances that include: when requested or authorized by the consumer, pursuant to a court order, during times when the freeze has been temporarily lifted by the consumer, when used for prescreening purposes, when requested by a child support enforcement agency, for certain insurance purposes, or to anyone with whom the consumer has an existing debtor-creditor relationship. Credit reporting agencies must supply any consumer who believes he or she has been a victim of identity theft with a summary of rights as specified. Credit reporting agencies that violate this act shall be liable for actual damages sustained by any affected consumer, the affected consumer's court costs and reasonable attorney fees, and may be subject to other equitable relief assessed by a court. These sections are similar to provisions in SB 507 (2007) and SB 737 (2006). ERIKA JAQUES
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