September 7, 2006

Pryce Honored by Data Security Advocates

Pryce Recognized for her Leadership on Protecting Consumer Information

WASHINGTON – Last night, Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus) was honored by the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC) with its Leadership Award for her efforts to protect consumers from identify theft at a reception in Washington.

“Identity theft is the most important consumer protection issue facing our nation,” said Pryce. “It’s the fastest growing white collar crime in our country, and every day Americans are waking up to discover that their personal information has been placed in harm’s way. Congress must not rest until businesses, data brokers, government agencies, or any entity that handles personal consumer information, has clearly defined, national standards for how this information is to be handled and protected.”

Pryce is the lead cosponsor of three legislative efforts to protect consumer information from theft and create federal standards by which companies would secure their customers’ data.  The bills also create a national, uniform process by which companies must notify customers after a data breach has occurred. 

The ITAC is a cooperative initiative of the financial services industry that provides identity-theft related services for member companies and their customers.  Since its launch in 2004, the ITAC has helped thousands of consumers restore their financial identity.  The ITAC shares information about identity theft cases with the Federal Trade Commission, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and other law enforcement agencies to help investigate and prosecute identity theft crimes. 

For more information about the ITAC, visit: www.identitytheftassistance.org/.