Gerald Kleczka: “It's been called the crime that isn't a crime. How can that be? Ask Jessica Grant, a Wisconsin woman whose identity was…”

“It's been called the crime that isn't a crime. How can that be? Ask Jessica Grant, a Wisconsin woman whose identity was stolen through use of her Social Security number. Her name was used by a thief to buy two cars and a mobile home. Under her name, the thief racked up $60,000 in fraudulent charges. Yet, there was no federal law to protect her. Or, ask the thousands of consumers across the country whose names, Social Security numbers, and personal credit information are pilfered every day. This 'crime that isn't a crime' cost consumers $745 million in 1997, according to a recent GAO report I requested. While Jessica Grant and thousands of individuals have indeed been violated, current federal law provides protections only for lenders and credit card companies. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this legislation. Today, there is no standard definition of identity theft. There are no fines. No prison penalties. No protections for people like Jessica Grant. In short, ID theft is not a crime. Passage of this legislation addresses two critical aspects of identity theft. First the bill would authorize the FTC to acknowledge and log reports of this new--and rapidly expanding--category of crime. At last, we will learn about the real impact identity theft. Second, the bill clearly defines ID theft. People like Jessica Grant and prosecutors across the country can pursue these thieves and lock 'em up.”