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Wonderling Bill to Aid Victims of Computer
Breaches
HARRISBURG -- Senator
Rob Wonderling (R-24) announced today that he is introducing legislation to
protect consumers from being victimized by identity theft resulting from
computer breaches. Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar crime in
the nation and computer breaches are a major source of personal information for
identity thieves.
Wonderling explained the bill requires businesses,
government agencies, or other organizations that own or store computerized
personal data to notify affected residents when a breach of their system’s
security has occurred and causes loss or injury to citizens of the
Commonwealth. Following a breach, if an organization fails to notify the public
as required by the law, a citizen victimized by identification theft can recover
actual damages from the organization.
The legislation is modeled after existing California
law that has been adopted in six other states since February.
“Conservative estimates indicate that nearly four
million Americans have had their records accessed by computer breaches this year
alone,” Sen. Wonderling said. “Just yesterday New Jersey police reported
that nearly 700,000 customers of four banks were affected by a major breach.
Clearly, Pennsylvania residents need the protections provided by my bill so they
can protect their identity and their property.”
“While federal law requires some companies who
collect and maintain personal information to protect the confidentiality and
integrity of the data, it does not require universal notification,” Wonderling
said. Notification legislation is pending at the federal level, “However, no
one has a crystal ball to know when or even if it will be passed and become
law. Pennsylvania needs to act quickly to protect our residents.”
Wonderling, who is Chairman of the Senate
Communications and Technology Committee, said he intends to push for the
immediate passage of this bill upon the General Assembly’s return to Session in
June.
Almost all financial, retail, government, and
medical service transactions are computerized,” Wonderling said.
“Pennsylvania consumers should have the confidence of knowing their personal
information is protected and not in the hands of a criminal.”
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