Bonilla Introduces Legislation to Prevent Identity Theft, Counterfeiting, and Consumer Fraud

Kudos Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla has joined the fight to prevent identity theft, counterfeiting, and consumer fraud with the submission of legislation that would include the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Investigations Division among the government agencies authorized to access Employment Development Department (EDD) records.  This access would aid DMV in investigations of crimes associated with identity theft, counterfeiting, and consumer fraud.

With the slow DMV wait time jokes aside, this one makes sense to further allow records be shared for purposes of aiding in investigations about theft and fraud.  That being said, prevention is the number one priority here because once someone is defrauded, it could take years to clean up the mess caused by a crook!

Hopefully within a year or so, this can be streamlined in a way to catch folks while an attempt is being made. I’d also like to see stricter punishments for these types of crimes because typically its the victims who end up “paying” more than the actual crooks.

Here is the official press release.

Asm. Bonilla Introduces Legislation to prevent Identity Theft, Counterfeiting, and Consumer Fraud

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) has introduced a bill that would include the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Investigations Division among the government agencies authorized to access Employment Development Department (EDD) records.  This access would aid DMV in investigations of crimes associated with identity theft, counterfeiting, and consumer fraud.

“Identity theft has become rampant in our digital age and providing useful resources to law enforcement investigators can help prevent fraud and apprehend suspects,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. That is why it is vital that Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Division is provided this investigative tool to help in their efforts to expeditiously investigate crimes associated with identify theft, counterfeiting, and consumer fraud.”

Identity theft and criminal activity associated with identity theft using California Driver Licenses or identification cards has been a long term and growing problem facing California state agencies and its residents. Identity theft costs American businesses and consumers a reported $50 billion a year causing untold difficulties for an estimated 10 million U.S. victims annually.

Bonilla’s legislation will provide statutory authority to access EDD records which provide a unique and current database that identifies the addresses of claimants and employer information in real time. The lack of access adds to the number of cases in which DMV is unable to locate or identify perpetrators of fraud as well as victims of fraud.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla was first elected to the Assembly in November 2010, and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which is comprised of the north and central portions of Contra Costa County and southern portion of Solano County.

CONTACT:   Luis Quinonez, (916) 319-2014