New Initiative Helps
Wisconsin Get Tough on Identity Theft
MADISON -- State
Senator Jon Erpenbach stood with Governor Doyle today as he launched a
new crackdown on identity theft in Wisconsin. The initiative will
strengthen enforcement and toughen penalties against identity thieves,
as well as open a new Office of Privacy Protection.
“I am excited to be a part of the Governor’s announcement,” said
Erpenbach. “Governor Doyle has recognized a growing problem in our state
and has taken a strong, proactive approach to solving it,” he added.
Reports of identity theft have increased by 20% in Wisconsin over the
last three years alone. That percentage only includes the number of
reported cases. An estimated 100,000 incidents go unreported each year.
Nationwide, the personal information of 53 million Americans has been
stolen in the last year.
“One of the most troubling aspects of identity theft is that so often
people do not even know that their personal information has been
stolen,” said Erpenbach. “When they apply for a loan like a mortgage or
student loan, they find out that their credit history has been ruined by
someone who has committed this kind of identity crime,” he added.
The Office of Privacy Protection will be a joint effort of the
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the
Department of Financial Institutions. It will serve as a central
location to handle identity theft complaints and assist those who have
already been victimized, as well as educate businesses and private
citizens on how to protect themselves from identity theft.
In addition to the creation of this new office, Governor Doyle proposed
a legislative initiative to crack down in identity crimes. The plan
would increase penalties, provide additional security for businesses,
and create greater protection for individuals.
For more information, or to file a complaint with the Office of Privacy
Protection, you can call 1-800-422-7128 or go to
www.privacy.wi.gov.
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