Protecting Your Identity

Congress already has enacted one law designed to curb identity theft. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act (Public Law 108-159) gives consumers the right to one free credit report per year and access to their credit scores. Since identity theft can lead to the destruction of a victim’s personal credit history, having the ability to access credit information is critical to monitoring any unauthorized charges or accounts. The FACT Act also makes it easier for consumers to limit unsolicited offers of credit, dispute information in their credit files, and block fraudulent information in their credit reports.

In addition, several bills have been introduced in the 109th Congress to protect individuals’ personal information. Many of these have been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, of which I am Vice-Chairman. The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has held three hearings on this issue since the beginning of 2005. I fully anticipate that my Committee will craft legislation this Congress to curb identity theft and to impose strict regulations on information brokers.

Efforts also are being undertaken by federal agencies to raise awareness of this problem. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the lead federal consumer protection agency, is spearheading the "OnGuardOnline" campaign to help computer users be on guard against Internet fraud and secure their computers. OnGuardOnline is based on practices for safer computing, teaching consumers how to protect their passwords, install anti-virus software and firewalls, and generally protect their personal information. Please visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov for specific tips you can follow to protect yourself from online identity theft.

The FTC also maintains a website with information on how consumers can protect their personal privacy. This website gives common-sense tips for protecting your personal information. Some of these tips include:

* Finding out how personally identifying information will be used before you reveal it;

* Putting passwords on all your accounts;

* Minimizing the identification information and number of cards you carry;

* Keeping items with personal information in a safe place; and

* Ordering a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) each year.

Please visit www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/promises_educ.html for additional information and tips.

If you feel that you have been a victim of identity theft, it is important that you report the theft as soon as it is discovered. Time is of the essence to prevent further fraud and/or damage to your credit, and acting quickly may be necessary to protect your rights. As Congress works to enact laws designed to protect you, please work with us by taking precautions to protect yourselves.

Here are some numbers to call if you suspect your identity has been stolen

* To report your theft or get more information on what to do, call the FTC at 1-877-IDTHEFT.

* If your Social Security number has been stolen, call the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

* If you suspect that a thief has used your mailing address to commit a crime, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-888-877-7644.

* If you believe your identification has been used in violation of tax laws, call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-0433.