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Floridians looking to cash in on scrap metal are going to have to produce extra identification. A new state law requires scrap metal buyers to get sellers’ thumb prints, home and work phone numbers and addresses, as well as vehicle information. Jose Gonzalez, Vice President of Government Affairs for Associated Industries of Florida, said the extra identification measures will help police track copper thieves.

“The additional information, thumb prints, actual descriptions of individuals, their weight, I think all the transactions are recorded via video and pictures are taken of the items that are taken into these recyclers, so it really does create a trail that law enforcement needs to track down these individuals,” said Gonzalez.

Metal dealers who don’t record all the extra information are subject to felony charges.