§ 6-13-17 - Requiring consumers to furnish social security numbers. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 6-13-17

   § 6-13-17  Requiring consumers to furnishsocial security numbers. – (a) Unless otherwise required by federal law, no person shall require that aconsumer of goods or services disclose a social security number incident to thesale of consumer goods or services; provided, however, that:

   (1) Insurance companies and institutions licensed by thestate or federal government for financial services may require applicants forthose services to disclose their social security number;

   (2) Social security numbers may be required for the providingand billing of health care or pharmaceutical-related services, including theissuance of identification cards and account numbers for users of health careor pharmaceutical-related services; and

   (3) Disclosure may be required of a consumer as a conditionof applying for a credit card for the purchase of goods or services.

   (b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shallbe guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined not more thanfive hundred dollars ($500).

   (c) In any civil action alleging a violation of this section,the court may award damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs to aprevailing consumer, and afford injunctive relief against any person orbusiness that commits or proposes to commit a violation of this section.