Cox Introduces Identity Theft Protection Bill

Sacramento, CA — Senator Dave Cox has proposed a new bill that would remove personal data from court documents in the hopes of preventing identity theft.

Cox says thieves have easy access to personal information in government documents.

The proposed measure, SB 216, would require government agencies to only place the last four digits of a person´s social security number on court documents. Cox says under current law a thief could go to the county recorder, look at a public document and make copies of a social security number.

Currently the law does prohibit private companies from publicly posting social security numbers but exempts publicly recorded documents.

Cox represents Calaveras, Alpine and Amador counties, among others.

Written by Vanessa Turner.