Every year an estimated 9 million Americans lose money because someone finds a way to access their personal information. House Bill 1809 could help thousands of Missourians from falling pray to identity theft.  The new bill would allow Missourians to place a security freeze on their consumer report information and credit reports.

The extra security measures would help make sure your private information isn't released to just anyone. Several states have similar laws already in place to stop identity theft, which has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. 

The bill's sponsor, Republican representative Don Ruzicka said, "When you place freeze on your credit if that application came in they couldn't process it, they couldn't allow approval of a credit card, or allow you to open something, or to open an account."

Ruzicka said he would like to see it signed into law by August. He says anyone can become a victim of identity theft, but the best way to prevent it is to be aware of your banking and financial records by periodically checking them.