Identity theft funds freed up
INDIANAPOLIS – If a bill before the Indiana House of Representatives becomes law, fees county recorders once collected from homeowners with mortgages to prevent identity theft could go to other purposes.
House Bill 1061 moved out of House Local Government Committee by a 12-0 vote Tuesday. The bill would allow recorders in every county to redistribute a $2 fee that county recorders collect when citizens document transactions and transfers.
Brian Burdick, general counsel to the Indiana Recorders Association, said the fee was originally established to help protect Hoosiers from getting their identities stolen. Initially, when a civilian turned in a mortgage or paperwork to the recorder’s office, it contained information such as the person’s Social Security number. Through the Open Records Act, any citizen could access these documents and steal someone’s identity.
The $2 fee was established to help the recorder’s offices in Indiana buy the equipment needed to prevent this identity theft. Now, when anyone files paperwork at the recorder’s office, the document is scanned. When that document is reprinted, the personal information contained on that document is blocked out, which prevents identities from being stolen.
Because the fee was originally established to help fund the purchasing of the scanning equipment, HB 1061 would allow the fee to be reallocated. Half the $2 fee would go to the recorders’ preparation fund, which would help with operating costs. The other dollar would be split evenly between a fund to help pay for any training required by law for a state employee and the Social Security redaction fund.
Many county recorders testified in support of this bill as did the Porter county clerk and the Association of Indiana Counties. No one testified against HB 1061.
It now moves to the House floor.
