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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Roseann Cadau |
State Rep. Chris Sainato |
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Sainato bill to protect people from ID theft via cell phone passes House
HARRISBURG, June 18 – State Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Lawrence/Beaver, is pleased the House of Representatives today passed his bill to guard against identity theft by banning the use of cell phones to capture people’s personal information.
The measure (H.B. 441) would make it illegal to photograph or record citizens’ personal information such as Social Security or credit-card numbers with camera phones or recording devices.
Sainato said his bill also would prevent people from trying to download the illicit information electronically from cell phones to computers.
“There have been instances where someone’s personal information was captured in the grocery line with a camera phone,” Sainato said. “My bill would protect people from electronic theft so they wouldn’t have to suffer with the likely problems that stem from having their identification stolen.”
Violation of the measure would be a third-degree misdemeanor. An important feature of this legislation is that each illegal video transmission would be considered a separate offense.
“My proposal could save thousands of people from hours of distress in recovering their stolen identities, and it would provide law enforcement with an additional tool to pursue identity thieves,” Sainato said.
Sainato’s bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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