|
|---|
Keeping Your Private Information Private COLUMBUS – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today released the following opinion letter to the editor: “As Americans, we tend to be protective of our individuality and privacy. But we also love convenience. One of the great conveniences we have is the use of credit and debit cards for making transactions. Whether making a purchase at a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ location or buying online, plastic cards have become a staple of our lives. Many department stores also offer their own cards, with which customers can accumulate points for discounts or other benefits depending on how much they spend with their card. Even many fast food restaurants now accept cards for the purchase of your burger or kids’ meal. The use of cards has become so prevalent that many people no longer even carry cash in their pocket or purse. The last thing anyone thinks about when ordering a meal, buying a new shirt or ordering a book online is whether their personal identification and information will be kept private. But with more and more sensitive information becoming part of the everyday exchange of records among companies, consumers are increasingly concerned about companies’ data security policies and post-breach procedures. Identity theft is the fastest-growing white collar crime in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that 10 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year, costing consumers and businesses more than $55 billion. Identity theft is the most frequent complaint to the FTC from all 50 states, with the number of complaints having grown for the fourth consecutive year. Unfortunately, we’ve seen it happen right here in central Ohio. Recently, hackers victimized two central Ohio retailers by compromising their data files and stealing customers’ credit card information. A number of other high-profile cases at well-known companies nationwide have caused many to ask what can be done to safeguard information on consumers against illicit uses. What takes only seconds for a hacker to destroy can take weeks and months for companies and individuals to rebuild. A thief can jeopardize a person’s financial security by opening new lines of credit or procuring unsecured loans under a person’s name. And even after the theft is discovered, a damaged credit report could prevent someone from obtaining a home loan, buying a car, reducing interest rates on credit cards, or even getting a job. Victims of identity theft spend on average 90 hours of their own time and $1,700 in out-of-pocket expenses resolving the problem. In some cases, victims have to change their Social Security numbers or phone numbers in order to free themselves of the effects of identity theft. Consumers need to be protected from being victimized. But we also want to make sure the public is educated about the steps they can take to protect their personal information. Recently, the House Financial Services Committee held hearings to discuss the growing problem of data security breaches and identity theft in corporate America. Witnesses before the committee testified in support of a uniform national standard for data breach notification. Such a standard will ensure that consumers receive clear instructions and assistance when a breach of their personal information has taken place. In the near future I plan to introduce legislation which more clearly defines what a harmful breach of information is and addresses the need for a national uniform process by which a company notifies its customers after a harmful breach has been determined. The bill would also update security laws to include third-party companies that collect data and require companies to voluntarily monitor the credit reports of those customers whose information has been compromised with the goal of preventing identity theft.
The FTC has created a Web site to provide information for consumers about computer security and ways to safeguard your information. Visit www.ftc.gov/infosecurity for more. |
| Back |