TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding Gov. Rick Scott today signing one of his top priorities, House Bill 953, eliminating the fee imposed on Floridians to freeze their credit.

 

"Thank you to Gov. Rick Scott for signing one of my top legislative priorities that helps Floridians protect themselves against criminals who aim to steal their identity and compromise their credit. With data breaches like the one at Equifax continuing to happen, 16.7 million consumers impacted by identity fraud in the United States and more than $16 billion stolen from accounts last year, Floridians need to be empowered to easily protect themselves from fraud. With Gov. Scott's signature, Floridians will no longer have to jump through hoops just to freeze their credit.

 

“Thank you to Rep. Shawn Harrison, Sen. Jeffrey Brandes, and Commissioner Adam Putnam for their support of this good bill.”