SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1846

As of March 17, 2003

Title: An act relating to fraudulent use of a credit card scanning device.

Brief Description: Penalizing the fraudulent use of credit card scanning devices.

Sponsors: House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Benson, Chase, Bush, Simpson, Morrell and McIntire).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Financial Services, Insurance & Housing: 3/20/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INSURANCE & HOUSING

Staff: Joanne Conrad (786-7472)

Background: Credit card scanning devices are legitimately used to access, read, and store information encoded on credit cards and other forms of payment card, in order to process transactions. Some of the devices are small and portable, to facilitate businesses transacting with payment cards, in restaurants and other settings. Some employees and others may use scanners to obtain a cardholder's information, in order to commit financial fraud.

Summary of Bill: Fraudulent use of a payment card scanning device is a class C felony. Subsequent violations are a class B felony.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.