Recent estimates from the Attorney General’s office indicate that the identities of some 40,000 New Yorkers are stolen each year, costing consumers and the financial industry billions of dollars. New York ranks eighth among all states in the number of identity theft cases reported. Unless new solutions are found, those numbers will only get more disturbing. Already this month, an incident has come to light that further illustrates the need to crack down on this insidious crime.
A hospital in the Mid-Hudson region announced that a laptop computer had been stolen from its emergency department in late June. That’s bad enough, but what makes it worse is that the computer contained personal identification records for 257,800 patients. The data included vital information that could be used to steal another’s identity, including birth dates and Social Security numbers. While no such cases have been reported from that particular theft, the computer has yet to be located, so the possibility remains.
Last year, the Legislature passed a bill that requires state agencies and businesses that maintain personal information on their databases to notify the individuals whose information they have on file in the event that their database has been breached or compromised. That’s the first step. We have also proposed legislation to make the sale of personal information a felony, which would also make large-scale sales a Class B felony. This measure is still in the works, and I believe it would at least cut down on the scourge of identity theft.
In the meantime, there are measures you can take to prevent anyone from obtaining personal information without your consent. Be diligent in monitoring your credit card and bank statements, and if you have concerns, contact the company or bank immediately. Tear up, shred, or destroy any forms containing personal information before throwing it in the garbage. If you must save them, keep these documents in a secure, safe location. Most importantly, never provide personal information to any one you don’t know or trust.
No one is completely immune from identity theft, but we can guard against it on both the legislative and personal levels. I will continue to fight in the Assembly for further deterrents, but until such measures become law, remember to keep a close watch over your personal information.