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DeGette: Better Steps Must be Taken to Protect Consumer Data

Date: March 15, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Technology and Communication Business and Consumers Criminal Justice


DeGette: Better Steps Must be Taken to Protect Consumer Data

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) called for bipartisan action to regulate information brokers during a hearing on the ChoicePoint data theft in the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Recently, the personal and credit information of more than 145,000 people was fraudulently obtained from the information broker ChoicePoint by data thieves. This included 4,500 Coloradoans. While authorities have not determined whether data was used for illegal activities, such as credit fraud, it raised serious concerns about the security of critical personal and consumer information.

"If credit card companies and information brokers are vulnerable to hacking and fraudulent practices, which clearly they are, then we have no choice but to draw the conclusion that the privacy and overall security of our citizens is at risk," said Rep. DeGette. "There is bipartisan consensus on this committee that Congress must take action to control how information brokers collect, secure and distribute personal data."

According to a recent study by the Federal Trade Commission, in a one-year period, over 10 million people in this country had their personal information stolen and used in for fraud. Coloradoans can help protect their information by requesting a free annual credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/ to make sure that all of the information is accurate and no unauthorized financial activity has taken place. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has a Web site, http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/, that explains how consumers can protect their information and what to do if they think they are a victim of identity theft.

"It is our responsibility to our constituents to make sure that this problem does not reach epidemic proportions, something I believe is not just a faint possibility," said Rep. DeGette.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/050315.html

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