Guest Column: State Sen. Tom O'Mara

"Be safe while shopping online"

ALBANY, Nov. 25 -- “Cyber Monday,” the day after the traditional Thanksgiving weekend
start to the holiday shopping season (which this year falls on Monday, November 26), begins a rush of online purchasing that, according to reports, generated more than $1.25 billion in spending by American consumers last year – a historical day of online buying.

One thing we know for certain about our rapid, global march into the world of e-commerce is that it’s become big, big business. But we also must recognize that there’s an unprecedented exchange of online information going on, which compels this reminder: Don’t overlook the privacy and other
public policy issues raised by our ongoing leap into this age of modern technology.

The New York State Senate has held a number of legislative hearings over the years to give creditors, law enforcement officials, computer security experts, and others the opportunity to share their thoughts on mapping out more effective strategies to address a host of privacy concerns. These concerns include one that’s become commonly known as “identity theft,” arguably the overriding fear underlying today’s online economy.

It’s been noted in the past that identity theft costs more than eight million American consumers an estimated $40 billion annually. According to the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, in 2009 New York State ranked eighth in the nation in per capita identity theft complaints. It’s clear that the availability of information in computer databases and the rapid growth of Internet commerce have produced a new breed of criminals who abuse technologies to steal consumer information and ruin consumer credit. Indeed, identity theft is considered the No. 1 and fastest-growing financial and consumer crime of this era.

The tactics of today’s cybercriminals change as fast as our technology, often faster. It all serves to highlight the ongoing challenge to keep identity theft laws ahead of identity thieves. New York became the 43rd state in the nation to enact an identity theft law in 2002. But security studies continually point to the need to update our laws as frequently as cybercriminals update their ability to break them. It’s no easy task.

One important new law approved a few years ago enabled consumers to place a “security freeze” on their credit reports if they suspect they are victims of identity theft. We’ve also strengthened New York’s identity theft protections by enacting laws to restrict the ability of employers to use an employee’s personal information and to allow identity theft victims to obtain restitution equal to the value of the time they spend fixing the damage, which is substantial. It takes an estimated average of 14 months for an identity theft victim to discover that his or her identity has been stolen. Victims then spend at least $800 and devote more than 175 hours of their own time to clean up their credit reports after an identity theft has occurred, according to the federal General Accounting Office.
Additionally, identity theft victims have been subject to other complications, including denial of loan applications and false criminal records.

In short, it’s costly and it’s time-consuming. So the first line of defense is for every consumer to be aware of identity theft, how it’s committed, and ways to protect against it. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s lead consumer protection agency, operates a website to promote online safety. Go to www.ftc.gov and click on the “Fight Back Against Identity Theft” icon on the home page. Information can also be found on the New York State Division of Consumer Protection’s website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. If you’d like a copy of a well-received
New York State Senate brochure, “Protect Yourself from Identity Theft,” e-mail your request to: omara@nysenate.gov.

My very best wishes to all of you and your families, friends and neighbors throughout this holiday season.

Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara

Schuyler County Officials

Legislature Members:

Top row (from left): Dennis Fagan, Thomas Gifford, Doris Karius, Glenn Larison

Bottom row: Michael A. Yuhasz, Barbara Halpin, Phil Barnes, Stewart Field

Legislature Chairman

Dennis Fagan, Tyrone 607-292-3687

Legislature Members:

Michael A. Yuhasz, 535-4967

Doris L. Karius, 546-5544

Barbara Halpin, 594-3683

Glenn R. Larison, 594-3385

Thomas M. Gifford, 535-9517

Phil Barnes, Watkins Glen 481-0482

Stewart Field, Watkins Glen 535-2335

County Clerk: Linda Compton, 535-8133

Sheriff: William Yessman, 535-8222

Undersheriff: Breck Spaulding, 535-8222

County Treasurer: Margaret Starbuck, 535-8181

District Attorney: Joseph Fazzary, 535-8383

State, Federal Officials for Schuyler County

Sen. Charles E. Schumer

United States Senate
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3201
DC Phone: 202-224-6542
DC Fax: 202-228-3027
Email Address: http://schumer.senate.gov/webform.html

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

United States Senate
478 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
DC Phone: 202-224-4451
Website: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/

State Senator Tom O'Mara -- Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates, western Tompkins, Enfield, Ithaca (Town and City), Newfield, Ulysses(Trumansburg)

Room 812, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2091
Fax: (518) 426-6976
www.omara.nysenate.gov

Assemblyman Christopher Friend -- Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga
Room 720, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: (518) 455-4538
Website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=137