CQ Researcher - Identity Theft

Can Congress give Americans better protection?

"Assembling a new identity used to be the specialty of spies and master criminals. Now, ordinary crooks are acquiring consumers' personal information..."

* Should higher penalties or new security technologies halt identity theft?
* Should consumers be able to "freeze" their credit histories?
* Should data companies ask permission before selling a consumer's information?

These and related issues are discussed in the June 10, 2005 issue.