Proposed California Bill Aims to Reduce Debit Card Fraud

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A proposed bill in California will limit the information merchants can print on debit card receipts, in an attempt to reduce identity theft and fraud. SB 802, sponsored by state Sen. Joseph Simitian (R-Palo Alto), amends current California civic code pertaining to credit cards. Currently, merchant receipts are limited to printing only the last five digits of the credit card number, and may not include the expiration date. SB 802 would set the same standard for debit card receipts. Both current and proposed laws apply only to electronically printed receipts, and do not apply to transactions in which the customer's credit card number is recorded on a handwritten form, or recorded by imprinting the card. The proposed law was approved by the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee June 28, and will next move to the Assembly floor for a vote. SB 802 was approved in the state Senate May 9. Sen. Simitian is also the sponsor of a controversial elder abuse bill, SB1018, which is opposed by the California Credit Union League.