Friends,
This week I held a press conference with Senator Senjem discussing my idea for an "identity theft passport" that will be a tool for victims and law enforcement officials. You can read stories on the press conference from KARE 11. The Post Bulletin. And more.
Data breaches like we have seen recently with Equifax put the identity and financial health of millions of Minnesotans at risk. Identity theft today is a high-tech crime that many of our local law enforcement and the affected consumers simply do not have the tools with which to handle. The identity theft passport can be a tool to quickly and efficiently help victims reclaim their financial stability.
I will push for hearings on House File 62, a piece of legislation he introduced during the 2017 session, that will create an identity theft passport that will both help victims of identity theft protect and reclaim their financial security, while also helping law enforcement authorities track down and arrest the perpetrators.
With this proposal, any Minnesotan who has been a victim of identity theft and filed a report with law enforcement may apply for an identity theft passport through the law enforcement agency. The local law enforcement agency would send a copy of the policy report and the application to the DPS Commissioner who would issue the passport to the identity theft victim.
The identity theft passport would be used by the victim to prove their identity to other local law enforcement and to help the victims reclaim their financial health in a quicker manner by being able to prove their identity.
Identity theft crimes have become more and more prevalent in our society and these recent data breaches are only serving to make millions of people more vulnerable to this crime. It's far past time for the law to catch up to the realities of modern cyber-crimes. The identity theft passport will hopefully start the conversation and be a possible solution to combat the scourge of identity theft crimes.
I hope to have a hearing on this bill early in the 2018 session. Senator David Senjem is author of the companion bill SF 577 in the Senate.
$107 Billion loss over last six years is from this study done by Javelin Strategy & Research.
Information can be viewed here.
High School Page Program
The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program is now accepting applications. Over the last 40 years the program has provided high school juniors with hands-on access to our state government in action. I encourage any high school junior who may be interested in learning more about the legislative process to apply for the page program by December 1st. Click here to apply!
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn
Thank you and have a great week,
Duane