News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

October 8, 2002

Harman Hosts Forum On Fraud Prevention For South Bay Seniors

“Fraud is a form of terrorism... these acts terrorize our communities...”

REDONDO BEACH - Joined by officials from the F.B.I., Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the US Attorney’s Office, Rep. Harman hosted a forum last Saturday to help South Bay seniors safeguard against identity theft and telemarketing and bankruptcy fraud. Held at Casa de Los Amigos senior center in Redondo Beach, the forum was the most recent in a series Harman has convened on fraud and homeland security.

Roy and Esther Mukai, a Redondo Beach couple who fell victim to identity theft, were on hand to share their personal story, stating, “We were victimized by identity theft in a very methodical way. We need to take proactive and preventative measures to guard our information from criminals."

Congresswoman Harman addresses the issue of identity theft to senior constituents at the Casa de Los Amigos senior center in Redondo Beach
Congresswoman Harman discusses the issue of identity theft with senior constituents at the Casa de Los Amigos senior center in Redondo Beach.

Daniel Bolick, White Collar Crime Program Coordinator for the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, highlighted the staggering $40 billion in losses caused by telemarketing fraud each year, “to put this in perspective, the estimated cost to rebuild the World Trade Center was $40 billion, and this occurs every year.”

Bolick stressed that seniors are the number one target, stating “Sixty percent of all telemarketing fraud happens to seniors. These statistics just underscore the importance of empowering people, particularly seniors, in our efforts to combat fraud’s various appearances through forums like these.”

According to the FTC, California has the second highest rate of identity theft in the nation. Another recent report by the National Fraud Information Center stated that 30 to 60 percent of all illegal telemarketing fraud originates in California.

“Fraud is a form of terrorism,” Harman stated. “These acts cause panic and terrorize our communities, particularly in the South Bay, where rates of identity theft and telemarketing fraud are some of the highest in the nation. It is vital that we provide seniors with the information and tools they need to protect themselves against these horrible acts.”

Following the forum, Christiane Willey, a senior from Redondo Beach stated: “ I felt the information was very practical, in particular the advice about dealing with telemarketers who offer deals too good to be true.”

Representatives from the K.E.E.P-S.A.F.E. Coalition and the US Postal Inspectors Office also participated in the forum.

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Related Information :

Harman Hosts Third Senior Forum On Homeland Security And Fraud 03.26.02
Congresswoman Harman is a cosponsor of H.R. 5424, the Identity Theft Victims Assistance Act of 2002. The intent of this legislation is to prevent the crime of identity theft and mitigate the harm to individuals victimized by identity theft.
She is also a cosponsor of H.R. 3053, the Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2001, which amends the Truth in Lending Act to prescribe procedural guidelines under which a credit card issuer shall confirm changes of address.