(a) A public service company, as defined in section 16-1 , that requires the disclosure of a potential customer's Social Security number in order to open a new customer account shall verify the validity of the Social Security number prior to opening a new customer account to ensure that such number does not belong to a minor, as defined in section 1-1d . Such public service company shall cross reference the Social Security number provided with such customer's legal name, aliases, date of birth, age, current address and phone number. A public service company may use a third-party company to carry out the purpose of this subsection.
(b) A minor shall not be liable for payment of an unpaid bill to a public service company for services fraudulently obtained by an adult using such minor's Social Security number.