(a) “Challenge questions” means a method in which one party presents a question (“challenge”) and another party must provide a valid answer (“response”) to be identified.

(b) “Consumer report” means a report issued by a CRA.

(c) “Consumer reporting agency (CRA)” means an entity (for example a credit bureau) that collects and disseminates information about consumers to be used for credit evaluation and certain other purposes.

(d) “Covered account” means an account used mostly for personal, family, or household purposes, and that involves multiple payments or transactions and for which there is a reasonably foreseeable risk to customers or to the creditor from identity theft. For purposes of this chapter, the accounts that WSSC maintains for its customers are covered accounts.

(e) “Creditor” means any entity that regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any entity that regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who is involved in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit. For the purposes of this chapter, WSSC shall be considered a creditor.

(f) “Customer information” means any information relating to individuals or families that is collected and stored by the Commission for the purposes of providing water, wastewater or other services.

(g) “Identity theft” means a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority.

(h) “Personal identifiable information (PII)” means any piece of information when used by itself or with another piece(s) of information can identify an individual; such information includes, without limitation: names, Social Security number, date of birth, official state or government issued driver’s license or identification number, alien registration number, government passport number, and employer or tax identification number.

(i) “Red flag” means a pattern, practice or specific activity that indicates the possible existence of identity theft. (GMO 09-01)