March 12, 2010

Identity theft is the fastest growing type of fraud in the United States, as identity thieves make use of emerging technologies. In today's interconnected world, tech-savvy criminals – many of whom have never even set foot in Michigan – can steal your identity with only a few clicks of a mouse. And as more advanced technologies become available, these con-artists will continue to find new ways to steal your identity.

Making matters worse, these crimes can often go undetected until these criminals have wiped out your life savings or destroyed your credit rating – preventing your ability to get a mortgage, credit cards, or even apply for a job. This damage to your credit rating can take years to repair, and may end up costing you thousands of dollars.

Especially in these tough economic times, identity theft is a severe threat to our families, many of whom are struggling just to get by. Last year, we passed a plan in the House that will crack down on identity theft by:

Forcing thieves to reimburse their victims for damage done to their finances and credit history.

Requiring businesses to have an identity theft prevention plan.

Requiring businesses and agencies to destroy personal data when it is removed from a database.

Creating the Identity Theft Commission, which will study emerging technologies and methods that identity thieves are using.

Unfortunately, these bills have yet to be taken up by the Senate. Until they are, the best way for individuals to combat identity thieves is by being proactive and making sure they are protecting their personal and financial information to the best of their ability. Use a cross-cutting shredder to destroy documents with identifying personal information before you throw it away, as thieves often go through garbage looking for discarded mail, receipts and credit applications.

You should also monitor your financial accounts and look for any unexplained charges or withdrawals. Federal law allows you to receive one free credit report per year, which you can request at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228. Take a look at your credit report to see if there are entries that you do not recognize. And of course, be mindful of your Social Security number. Do not give it out unless you are required to.

These tech-savvy thieves are not going to stop trying to make a quick buck off the backs of hard-working families so we must make sure our laws are strong enough to shut them down. I will continue working to make sure that we stay one step ahead of these criminals, and that you and your family are protected from identity theft.