Stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors could be a key to combating identity theft, according to a report in the Kansas City Star. Reporting on a recent U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee meeting, the paper reported that those testifying think efforts should concentrate on better protection of Social Security numbers.
Thomas B. Leary, commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, was quoted as telling the subcommittee, which was looking at consumer protection issues, that Social Security numbers play a pivotal role in identity theft, which he called a "pernicious crime."
Because they are so commonly used by consumers applying for credit cards, car loans and mortgages, Social Security numbers become not only a common thread for legitimate businesses, but also a key to that helps identity thieves into what should be protected vaults of information and credit access.
Thus, the FTC is looking at whether different "data points" should be used by different companies and agencies to identify consumers. Suggested data points can include names, ages and addresses. The House subcommittee urged the FTC to study the issue of credit report access and accuracy in greater detail, according to the Kansas City Star.
In Michigan, that state’s House of Representatives is considering broadening the definition of crimes considered identity theft, according to a media report from the Gongwer News Service.
According to the news report, not only would the scope of identity theft be expanded, but restrictions on how businesses handle their customers’ Social Security and credit card account numbers are also included in bills that have been unanimously passed by the Michigan House.
The legislation is designed to make two of the most common forms of information used to perpetuate identity theft harder to get. Businesses such as health insurers would be barred from putting a person’s Social Security number on items such as insurance cards. Additionally, businesses would be prohibited from printing a customer’s entire credit card number on receipts. Many businesses have moved toward printing only four of the 16 numbers, but many also continue to print the entire number.