Requires account numbers to be truncated on certain sales receipts.
The proposed legislation amends P.L. 2002, c.101, which regulates the information printed on sales receipts. With the new requirement, merchants will be mandated to only display the last five digits of any credit or debit card numbers on both customer-facing receipts and those retained by the merchant. This change reinforces existing measures against data exposure and aligns with broader national trends towards more stringent data privacy standards.
Senate Bill S1924, sponsored by Senator Carmen F. Amato Jr., aims to enhance consumer protection by requiring that the account numbers on certain sales receipts be truncated. Currently, New Jersey law restricts retail sales establishments from printing the entire credit card number or expiration date on receipts. This bill extends that protection to include debit card information, thereby addressing data security concerns for consumers. This modification seeks to further reduce the risk of identity theft and unauthorized use of personal financial information.
While the bill is positioned largely as a consumer protection measure, there may be concerns raised by some retailers regarding the compliance costs associated with implementing new receipt printing technologies to conform with these restrictions. The consequences for non-compliance are substantial, with a civil penalty of up to $1,000 imposed for each violation, which might lead to apprehension among smaller businesses about potential fines.
The bill specifies not only a new requirement for debit card truncation but also highlights the importance of maintaining strict control over sensitive financial information shared in retail transactions. This move could stimulate further legislative discussions about consumer data protection, possibly leading to more extensive laws governing how businesses handle customer information.