Dianne Feinstein: “The crime of identity theft has become one of the major law enforcement challenges of the new economy because vast…”

“The crime of identity theft has become one of the major law enforcement challenges of the new economy because vast quantities of sensitive personal information are now vulnerable to criminal interception and misuse. What is identity theft? Identity theft occurs when one person uses another person's Social Security number, birth date, driver's license number, or other identifying information to obtain credit cards, car loans, phone plans, or other services in the potential victim's name. Of course, the victim does not know the theft has happened until he or she receives bills for items he or she didn't buy; plans for which he or she didn't contract, and so on. Identity thieves get personal information in a myriad of ways. They steal wallets and purses containing identification cards. They use personal information found on the Internet. They steal mail, including preapproved credit offers and credit statements. They fraudulently obtain credit reports or they get someone else's personnel records at work. All indications are that there is an alarming growth of this highly invasive crime. I believe the time has come to do something about it.”