Text 2600, 56 rader
Skriven 2006-05-10 23:33:14 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0605102) for Wed, 2006 May 10
====================================================
===========================================================================
President Bush Meets with Victims of Identity Theft
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 10, 2006

President Bush Meets with Victims of Identity Theft
The Roosevelt Room



2:27 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Identity theft is a serious problem in America. I have just
listened to the horror stories from fellow citizens who have had their
identities stolen. I listened to their ideas about how the federal
government can help in the response in not only dealing with those who
commit the crime, but helping those who have been victimized. And I want to
thank you all for joining us. Thanks a lot.

I appreciate Al Gonzales and Chairman Majoras, Deb Majoras, of the FTC for
being here, because I just signed an executive order that has the Attorney
General as the Chairman, the Chairman of the FTC as the Vice-Chairman of a
coordinating group to make sure that this government of ours uses our
assets in a responsible way, in a good way, to not only put those people
who commit identity fraud in jail, but to help the victims of identity
fraud.

I've signed two pieces of legislation which are important, one of which
says that credit companies must issue a credit report once a year free of
charge. We're very serious about upholding the law in this administration,
and credit companies must look at the spirit and the letter of that law, so
that when citizens ask for the free credit report on an annual basis, he or
she should be given that free credit report.

I signed law enhancing penalties. Now what we're going to do is make sure
that the 13 governmental agencies involved with identity theft have a
well-coordinated strategy to help the victims and to put those who commit
the theft behind bars.

Again, I want to thank you all very much for helping us understand the
issues, but more importantly, telling a story of the emotions and the
feelings that you went through during this -- difficult periods of your
life.

Thank you.

END 2:29 P.M. EDT

===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/05/20060510-2.html

 * Origin: (1:3634/12)