Bill > HB1034

This bill, titled the "Georgia Tech Support Impersonation and Remote Access Protection Act," enacts several measures to combat financial fraud and protect consumers. It requires financial institutions to offer customers an "account safety lock" accessible by phone and online, which can block new payees, set outbound transfer limits to zero, and terminate active online sessions until the customer reauthenticates their identity in person or through verified means; financial institutions must also allow customers to designate a trusted contact person who can be contacted if fraud is suspected. The bill mandates that financial institutions pause transactions if they detect remote access software during a transfer and implement measures to deter "authorized push payment scams" (defined as falsely representing affiliation with a business or government entity to induce money or information transfer), requiring them to place temporary emergency holds on suspected fraudulent transactions for up to 72 hours, with possible extensions, and to notify customers about these holds and their outcomes. It also expands the definition of unfair or deceptive trade practices to include internet and email fraud, and criminalizes electronic and voice communications intended to fraudulently solicit identifying information or gain remote access to electronic devices and accounts, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. Furthermore, the bill establishes the "Georgia Financial Fraud Victims Relief Fund" to provide reimbursement of up to $10,000 per incident for eligible victims of financial fraud who have not been reimbursed by other means, and requires the Attorney General to create a centralized web portal and hotline for fraud reporting, conduct public awareness campaigns about various types of fraud, and develop training programs for law enforcement on technology-enabled fraud, including artificial intelligence-generated voice impersonation.

Business and Industry

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72364