Bill would let ID theft victims seek restitution

Legislation would also give federal prosecutors more tools to combat ID theft and cybercrime, according to Sens. Leahy and Specter.

The story "Bill would let ID theft victims seek restitution" published October 17, 2007 at 6:01 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[ejevo]

Seek restitution from who???

Lots of words in this article, but little info.

Who does it allow victims to seek restitution from? The perpetrators, or the entities asleep at the wheel who allow the perps access? I'd like to see both culpable.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: Seek restitution from who???

I have to agree with you. The article doesn't have enough useful information.

Plus, by the time the perpetrators are nailed, they probably won't have anything left for the victims to get. Isn't that how it always work.

Good idea, unfortunately, I doubt it will work.

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com

[fxjamusa]

Put a Freeze on ID Theft

All 3 credit reporting agencies now allow you to put a freeze on your credit report for a minimal fee. Act now before YOU become a victim of ID theft:

Credit Freeze Info: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html</a>

Surprisingly, only a small number of Americans have taken advantage of this.

[Stating]

Close The Border sTo Illegals

Closing our borders to the 1 million illegals that cross every year would take a big chunk out of the market for stolen identities. But demigogues like Leaky Leahy would never back such a measure. They want cheap votes, and love the backroom payoffs coming from slimy Mexican pols like Vicente Fox and Calderon. Mexico's biggest export is poverty to the United States.

[wmorriss]

Closing the borders?

I fail to understand how closing the borders would have any effect on identity theft at all. People break into databases to steal credit card numbers which are then converted to cash/consumer goods/gift cards as quickly as possible. I am aware of no evidence that even a significant portion of stolen numbers are taken by illegal immigrants, or that a significant portion of numbers are sold to illegal immigrants. If you really wanted to blame ID theft on people from outside the US, you'd do better to focus on the Russian mafia than on illegal immigrants.

[jtheos]

Huh

My guess would be that most illegal immigrants don't have two quarters to rub together much less money to buy stolen identities. Those who steal identities aren't interested in nickel and dime profits. There's no money to be made from selling an identity to an illegal immigrant.

The whole idea is preposterous.

[Phillep_H]

Two groups

The working illegals do little but put more earnings in your Social Security account, and maybe mess up your Income Tax. Maybe they bounce some checks, but the damage is less.

The real damage is done by the ones who run up big debts in your name and dump them on you, and they are not likely to be border jumpers.