Bill 136: Consumer Reporting Act (amended)

Consumer reporting agencies (credit bureaus) operating in Nova Scotia are the primary businesses affected. These organizations will need to build new processes to accept written requests for security alerts and freezes, verify consumer identity, notify consumers within two hours of a report request when an alert is active, and train staff to explain the system to consumers. Smaller agencies may face proportionally higher costs to implement the notification infrastructure and staff training requirements. Businesses that rely on pulling consumer credit reports — such as lenders, landlords, or retailers offering financing — will be affected indirectly, as they may receive a security freeze notice blocking access to a consumer's file rather than receiving the report they requested.