Data Security

Dear Friend,

In coordination with the introduction of my bill, the Financial Data Security Act of 2005 (H.R. 3375), I am happy to launch my Data Security webpage – a tool for constituents concerned with the devastating effects of identity theft.

Identity theft is the fastest-growing white collar crime in this country claiming over 10 million American victims each year, costing consumers and businesses more than $55 billion. Almost every week it seems we hear about another company or financial institution having a breach of it customers’ personal data. It is the most frequent complaint to the Federal Trade Commission from all 50 states, with the number of complaints having grown for the fourth consecutive year.

From some of the largest companies and banks in the country to retail stores we shop in regularly, we are learning that crucial information containing some of our most personal and private details is being lost, stolen, or mishandled. The effects of having your personal data lost or stolen can be devastating – both emotionally and financially -- and in many cases consumers don’t even know that their personal information has been put in harm’s way.

My bill is an important first step in protecting consumer information and creating federal standards by which companies would secure their customers’ data. It also creates a national uniform process by which companies must notify customers after a data breach has occurred. It is tough enough dealing with chaos resulting from having your identity stolen – the least we can do is ensure a timely notification.

Please refer back to this page for updates on my bill, and for important instructions from the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the FDIC in the unfortunate event that you become victimized by this crime.