Governor calls for more state police and stronger protections against ID theft
Governor will budget for 125 more Oregon State Police troopers; new task force to fight identify theft and electronic crimes; and legislation to strengthen consumer protection against ID theft
Lake Oswego, OR—Speaking to county sheriffs, chiefs of police, and prosecutors from across Oregon, Governor Ted Kulongoski today called for measures to give Oregonians greater protection from identity theft, including adding more troopers on Oregon’s roads, a new law enforcement task force to fight ID theft and electronic data crimes, and legislation giving consumers the ability to freeze thieves’ access to credit information.
"The Oregon State Police play a critical role in the fight against identity theft and our fight against meth – which is often the motive for identity theft crimes," Governor Kulongoski said. "Oregonians now have only a few ways to prevent misuse of their personal information, or to anticipate when identity theft may occur. We must do more so Oregonians do not have to endure the economic havoc identity theft creates and it’s time we provide citizens the tools they need to protect their personal information and their families."
The Governor told law enforcement leaders gathered for a board meeting of the Regional Economic Crime Investigation Center that he wants state lawmakers to enact the following standards:
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Increase Patrol, ID Task Force. Many identity theft and electronic data crimes are linked to methamphetamine, so the fight against meth and the fight against identity theft are connected. In order to cut the small meth labs and importation of meth from across state lines, Oregon’s major highways and interstate routes need 24-hour, seven day a week full patrol coverage by the Oregon State Police. To help achieve the goal of around the clock coverage on Oregon’s roads and highways, 125 additional troopers are needed. Complementing the increased patrol on our roads, Oregon must also have strong a role in fighting identity theft and electronic data crimes through a theft and electronic data crime task force (modeled after the gang and drug task forces, including local, state and federal criminal justice representation).
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Security Freeze. Consumers must have the right to put a security freeze on their own credit files with the credit reporting agencies – whether or not they are victims of identity theft. Once a freeze is in place, the new law would require bureaus to obtain specific permission to release information from those files, in most instances. A person who chooses this option will have added protection in the event of an identity theft, because the thief will not be able to open accounts or get credit in the victim’s name. Credit information has a high street value among identity thieves, and files with a good credit rating and easy access are worth more money. If thieves can’t use the information even if they have it, that street value goes away.
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Safeguarding Personal Information. Any company or other organization that acquires, maintains, or uses personal information must protect it from misuse and dispose of it properly, once it is no longer useful. Such information includes Social Security numbers and credit card account numbers.
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Social Security Numbers. A criminal can use a Social Security number as the starting point for many identity theft crimes. The new law would prohibit businesses from displaying or disclosing Social Security numbers, except as required by state or federal law. It would also prohibit businesses from requiring people to transmit their Social Security numbers over the Internet without encryption.
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Notification. The new law would require businesses, government agencies, and other organizations that keep and use key forms of personal information to provide prompt notification to credit reporting agencies and affected people if someone steals that information, or if some accesses it for illegitimate purposes.
"I want to congratulate the sheriffs, chiefs of police, and district attorneys for the innovative work they’re doing to protect all of us from identity theft," Governor Kulongoski said. "There is no silver bullet for identity theft, but if we take action to protect consumers at the front end, we can make the work of our law enforcement authorities a little easier when it comes to investigation and prosecution."
The Governor directed the state Department of Consumer & Business Services to work with legislators and Attorney General Hardy Myers, who has also been active on this issue, to draft legislation. He noted that California, Washington, and other states have already enacted similar measures to protect consumers from identity theft.
Governor Kulongoski has asked the state’s Congressional delegation not to support federal identity theft legislation unless it includes the basic elements of his own state legislation. "If federal standards are weaker than what I have described, it is critically important that any federal legislation allow the states the latitude to adopt and enforce more stringent standards to protect consumers," the Governor said.
According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, Oregon in 2004 ranked ninth-highest per capita among the states for identity theft complaints. In 2005 the state ranked 13th. The Portland/ Beaverton/ Vancouver (Washington) metropolitan area ranked 22nd per capita in the nation among major metropolitan areas in 2005. Top locations in Oregon for identity theft complaints were Portland, Salem, Eugene, Beaverton, and Bend. The top three types of identity theft activity identified were credit card fraud, fraudulent banking activity, and phone or utilities fraud.
The FTC's data is based on self-reported complaints, so officials believe total incidents are greater than the number of complaints received by the FTC. Because under-reporting is likely to occur at similar rates across the country the FTC’s data still offers useful comparisons among the states and metropolitan areas.
Media Contacts:
Lonn Hoklin (503.378.6169)
Anna Richter Taylor (503.378.6496)
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