House Bill 377 Summary

• Authorizes Mississippi consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports by written certified mail request, prohibiting consumer reporting agencies from releasing credit information without express consumer authorization.

• Requires consumer reporting agencies to place a security freeze within 5 business days of receiving a written request and remove it within 3 business days upon consumer request after providing proper identification and a unique PIN/password.

• Allows consumers to temporarily lift freezes for specific time periods by contacting the agency with proper identification and PIN, with agencies required to comply within 3 business days.

• Permits consumer reporting agencies to charge up to $10 per freeze placement, removal, or temporary lift, except for identity theft victims who provide a valid law enforcement report.

• Provides civil damages of $500-$5,000 per incident or three times actual damages (whichever is greater) for violations, and repeals existing security freeze statutes effective July 1, 2010.