IP: Pol Wages War on Identity Theft

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 07:46:35 -0500
From: Ken Fisher <cyberpol () pipeline com>
> From  New York Daily News

Pol Wages War
Against ID Theft


ut out the papers and the trash, but first you might want to buy a paper
shredder. Brooklyn Councilman Ken Fisher warned yesterday that "identity
thieves" may be targeting paper goods left at the curb for recycling.

They're looking for crumpled-up and even ripped credit card receipts,
bank statements, Social Security information and other material that
could be used to carry out fraud, according to Fisher.

He said identity theft is a $1 billion racket nationally, and crooks
could have easy pickings when the city goes on a weekly recycling
schedule by April next year.

As a preventive measure, Fisher is introducing a bill today in the City
Council to make paper-napping a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to a
year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Sanitation officials said they have had no reports of paper filching but
Fisher, a Democrat, decided to sponsor the legislation after he and his
neighbors in Brooklyn Heights had their recycled paper purloined.

People give up ownership rights when they put the paper out for
recycling, Fisher noted. His new law would allow police to apprehend
paper pilferers before any fraud is committed, he added.

But Fisher isn't taking any chances. He bought a shredder.

Frank Lombardi


Original Publication Date: 3/16/99