Senator Bass’ Identity Theft Bill Wins Approval in Senate Committee

SB 1748 Outlaws the Sale of Cell Phone Records

Identities of all Oklahomans will be protected under a proposal by Senator Randy Bass that passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning.

“Identity theft is a growing concern for all Oklahomans, especially among our greatest generation—our senior citizens,” Bass said. “The Oklahoma Identity Theft Protection Act ensures that we are doing everything we can to protect our families from this devastating crime.”

Bass said SB 1748 will prohibit the sale of cell phone records, allow Oklahoma consumers to freeze their credit if they fall victim to identity theft and requires criminals convicted of identity theft to be locked up behind bars where they belong.

“It is just plain wrong to allow private cell phone records to be sold with such ease and at very little cost,” Bass said. “This outrageous practice is nothing more than an open invitation to prey on our most vulnerable citizens and it must stop.”

Bob Bristow, President of Oklahoma’s AARP, commended Senator Bass at the conclusion of today’s committee vote on the bill.

“We applaud Senator Bass for his work to stop Identity Theft in Oklahoma,” Bristow said.

“Identity Theft is a major concern for many Oklahoma consumers and, with the passage of SB 1748, we can ensure that no Oklahoma has to live in fear of this very sophisticated crime. Senator Bass’s Oklahoma Identity Theft Protection Act is among our top legislative priorities this session and its passage today was a great huge victory for not only members of Oklahoma’s AARP, but for every Oklahoma consumer.”

The bill now goes to a full vote on the Senate floor before making its way to the House of Representatives for final passage.

“Protecting Oklahoma consumers should not be a partisan issue,” Bass said. “All Oklahomans deserve a bill that is tough on crime and smart for Oklahoma consumers. My bill goes to great lengths to keep cell phone records private and protect Oklahomans from the financial devastation that often comes with identity theft.”

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and House to get this bill through the legislative process as quickly as possible.”