Identity theft easy, Bush shows

Lawmakers gather for a ceremonial signing of a law that strengthens penalties against white-collar criminals.

By ALISA ULFERTS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 22, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush held the device, smaller than a stapler, in his hand. With the other he swiped a credit card through to demonstrate to reporters how easy it is for thieves to get credit card information from unsuspecting shoppers.

"I volunteered to demonstrate this. You get to do the Dumpster diving," Bush said to Sen. Locke Burt, the Ormond Beach Republican who sponsored a law that strengthens penalties against identity thieves and other white-collar criminals.

Dumpster diving is rooting through garbage cans to get personal information about people, including unsolicited credit card applications.

Bush, Burt and other lawmakers were on hand Tuesday at the state's technology office for a ceremonial signing of Burt's proposal. (The bill actually became law July 1.)

The new law makes certain white-collar crimes a first-degree felony, increases the number of venues in which white-collar crimes can be prosecuted and increases the amount of restitution available for victims of such crimes.

Florida victims of identity theft have told their stories to members of a task force on privacy and technology. Bush appointed the task force last year to find ways to protect Floridians from those who would misuse the information that is routinely collected by state agencies.

State officials say the growth of the Internet and the widespread availability of personal information have resulted in a huge increase in fraud that is difficult to trace and almost impossible to stop.

After victims discover the crime -- sometimes after they run a routine credit check or background check for employment -- it can take months or years, plus fees, to clear their names.

But the risks involved don't mean the state should stop making public information easy to get. Rather, the government should think carefully about the information it collects from citizens, Bush said.

One example of technology the state celebrated Tuesday was the launch of Columba Bush's Web site. Her husband is a well-known e-mail addict, but Mrs. Bush said Tuesday she doesn't use it as much.

But she does plan to use her site, which includes her schedule, background and family photos, to advance her interests in the arts. The site has information about Florida's First Lady's Arts Recognition Award Program, in which 24 students of the arts are awarded $1,000 scholarships. It is linked to the state's main Web site at myflorida.com.

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