You can’t be too careful these days. At least, not when it comes to guarding your identity.

The increasing prevalence of scams designed to steal a person’s information, and the increasing number of incidents of identity theft, prompted the Alaska House of Representatives recently to pass House Bill 65, legislation that offers “sweeping expansions and reforms of the state’s consumer protection and identity theft laws.”

“Times have changed from the days when Alaskans could be reasonably sure that handing over their personal information wouldn’t result in fraud or identity theft,” said Rep. John Coghill, who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Les Gara. “Thanks to the Internet and the sheer volume of forms and businesses that now have access to our personal information, it is important to have guidelines on how to that personal information is handled.”

Detective Sgt. Milton Bohac with the Kodiak Police Department said scammers use everything from the Internet, phishing for personal information through e-mails or other means, to direct phone calls to collect information.

Hackers can obtain credit card information if a computer is not sufficiently secured.

Even if a person secures their computer, is careful with e-mail and phone calls and otherwise guards their identity, any company that has their information on file could be hacked. Too many times reports have surfaced of records being stolen from businesses and agencies whose databases were supposed to be secure.

“It’s a growing issue,” Bohac said of identity theft.

Bohac said most cases of identity theft are difficult to solve. Often if a credit card number is stolen, extra charges on a person’s bill will go unnoticed for some time. Then, when it is noticed and reported to police more time will elapse as an investigation is launched. By the time police have tracked down information to locate the perpetrator, they could have moved on.

The House bill recently passed addresses identity theft that occurs mostly through breaching the security of businesses or agencies.

“You want businesses and other organizations to be able to use that information,” Coghill said. “However, if someone reaches inside and accesses it, you need the ability to freeze your personal information and have some recourse.”

“It’s very frustrating,” Bohac said.

Kodiak police might have three or so phone scams reported to them each year, Bohac said.

“I don’t know how many go unreported,” he said.

Nationwide, phone scams target the elderly, and Bohac said that probably holds true for Kodiak as well.

There are a few open cases of identity theft at the police department, Bohac said.

When someone discovers their identity has been stolen, they need to immediately contact police and file a report, Bohac said. The Kodiak Police Department has packets of information on how to deal with identity theft. It is also available online at the Federal Trade Commission Web site.

The main articles of the Personal Protection Act passed by the House address breach of security of personal information, credit report and credit score security freeze, protection of Social Security number, disposal of records, right to file a police report regarding identity theft, truncation of card information and general provisions.

The breach of security aspect requires disclosure of any breaches and the inclusion of avenues of recourse, as well as providing penalties for failing to notify.

The security freeze allows consumers to freeze and unfreeze their personal information at their discretion for a minimal fee.

Protection of Social Security number restricts the sale and distribution of it. Disposal of records requires complete destruction of electronic and paper records that contain personal information, truncation of card information sets up guidelines for use of card numbers on receipts and general provisions provides definitions for terms and other general information.

“This bill endeavors to create those tools that are absolutely necessary for industry and consumers to have safeguards and rules with which to operate,” Coghill said.

With the house’s approval, the bill next goes to the senate for consideration.

Mirror writer Misty Maynard can be reached via e-mail at mmaynard@kodiakdailymirror.com.