By Tom Mashberg/ Identity Fraud
The Boston Herald
Last of a three-part series
on identity fraud.
After just four days as
a data entry clerk at a members' club in Philadelphia, Stephanie Mobley knew
scores of Social Security numbers. She used the data, Massachusetts officials
allege, to commit 12 counts of identity theft against a half-dozen Bay Staters.
But if Mobley is found
guilty, she faces no more than 30 months in prison. Now, officials want to toughen
the penalties for identity theft to deter and punish one of the state's fastest-growing
crimes.
``This epidemic has destroyed
too many lives,'' said state Sen. Jarrett T. Barrios (D-Cambridge), a co-sponsor
of legislation aimed at ID thieves. ``Before anyone else falls victim to these
predators, we must adopt stricter jail time and empower consumers to protect
their personal financial information.''
Barrios is working with
Rep. Paul C. Casey (D-Winchester), Attorney General Tom Reilly and the Massachusetts
Public Interest Research Group to stiffen criminal and civil sentences, make
data agencies and retailers work harder to foil impostors, and give people more
of a say over credit reports.
``No matter who you are
or where you live, we are all potential victims of ID theft,'' Reilly said.
Here are some of the proposals:
SECURITY FREEZE: Similar
to a ``do not call list'' for telemarketers, this provision lets consumers impose
a freeze on their credit information.
As a result, no individual
or retailer could access a consumer's credit data without the consumer's express
approval. If an impostor applies for credit in someone else's name, a creditor
would have to deny the application, but consumers seeking credit honestly would
have a PIN or other code number, known only to them, for ``unfreezing'' their
credit reports.
Additionally, consumer
advocates say, credit reporting agencies would be required to notify consumers
of any application for credit. Consumers would thus be tipped off to flimflams
by impostors.
DO-NOT-CALL REGISTRY: Consumers
could put their names on a list of those who do not want unsolicited credit
card or mortgage offers.
This would block credit
brokers from accessing your credit reports to see if you are a good risk - a
phenomenon that leads to the spread of private data into more and more breachable
databases.
It would also curtail unsolicited
credit and mortgage offers - often pilfered from trash or mail by thieves -
because creditors would no longer be able to access your credit score in the
first place.
``This financial info is
your information and you by rights ought to have control of it,'' said Eric
Bourassa, a MassPirg activist, ``It's outrageous that it gets passed around
without your express approval.''
TOUGHENED PENALTIES: Proposed
lesgislation would increase penalties for identity fraud from a maximum fine
of $5,000 and imprisonment for not more than 2years to a fine of $10,000 and
imprisonment for no less than 2years and not more than 10 years.
SIMPLER POLICE REPORTS:
A bill would make it easier for ID theft victims to file police reports. The
reports are needed to begin the process of challenging fraudulent charges, but
consumers complain local police lack the resources to aid victims get proper
paperwork.
Police reports are also
needed before victims of ID fraud can get so-called fraud alerts placed at the
top of their credit reports. Consumers seek the alerts to stop ID thieves from
hitting them again.
Victims can cite the alerts
when they are legitimately seeking loans or mortgages as proof their credit
has been harmed by ID snatchers.
LIMIT USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBERS: Advocates say the widespread use of Social Security numbers as identifiers
makes it too easy to gain access to consumers' financial accounts, credit reports
and other sensitive information. One bill would let consumers decline requests
for SS numbers on employment applications, credit applications and similar transactions.
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT:
This forces information companies to immediately notify people of any breach
in their data security.
``How is it any Tom, Dick
or Harry can get credit instantly by just having my Social Security number?''
asked Kurt Drucker, 52, of Cambridge, an attorney who is in the midst of unraveling
an ID theft attack. ``Here I am a lawyer and I can't even figure out what affidavit
to file to get this fixed.''
Tips to avoid identity
theft
- Monitor your credit report.
It has your Social Security number, employers, addresses andcredit account numbers,
including those you've closed, and overall credit score. Call the reporting
agencies to get 1 free copy a year: Equifax, 800-525-6285, www.equifax.com;
Experian, 888-397-3742, www.experian.com; TransUnion, 800-680-7289, www.transunion.com.
-Cancel unused credit card
accounts sand shred unused cards.
-Get off credit marketing
lists. Credit bureaus compile them for preapproved credit offers. These mailings
are a gold mine for identity thieves, who may steal them and apply for credit
in your name. Get off the lists by calling 888-567-8688 (your Social Security
number is needed to verify your identity).
-Never give your credit
card or SS number or personal information over the phone or internet unless
you have initiated the call.
-Get new checks at the
bank rather than having them mailed.
