Identity theft is target of proposed Indiana law

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is proposing a new law he says would help protect state residents from identity theft.

The law would require online businesses that store personal or financial data to make sure it is secure and to delete any information no longer needed. The law also would allow businesses to share or sell the information only when authorized by law or when consumers are informed in advance.

The proposal also would require that businesses inform consumers when data must be collected and how long it will be stored.

Zoeller says that so far this year his office's identity theft unit has opened 1,310 identity theft-related complaints, including complaints about 375 separate data breaches.

State Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, plans to sponsor the legislation.