Melissa Bean on Crime: No Response

Crime, a General Statement
Bean: No Response
Reducing Crime
Bean: No Response
Rehabilitation
Bean: No Response
Recidivism
Bean: No Response
Neighborhood Crime
Bean: No Response
Youth and Gang Crime
Bean: No Response
Identity Theft
Bean: Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08), who in her first term has distinguished herself as one of the House’s foremost leaders in the fight against identity theft, continued her work on behalf of consumers by negotiating for a more stringent consumer notification “trigger” in the Financial Data Protection Act of 2005 (HR 3997). Bean worked with her colleagues in the Financial Services Committee to make a change, which will ensure that financial institutions and data brokers alert their consumers if there is any unauthorized acquisition of personal financial data that could cause a “reasonable” risk of identity theft. Earlier versions of the bill required businesses to notify consumers only if there was a “substantial” risk of identity theft or financial fraud. “Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation – especially in the suburbs,” Bean said, “Social security, bank account, and credit card numbers aren’t just data. In the wrong hands they can wipe out someone’s life savings, wreck their credit and cause financial ruin.” “As part of my efforts to fight identity theft, I worked with my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee to strengthen consumer protection with a reasonable notification requirement.” “As a result, this legislation now requires financial institutions to inform consumers of a data breach and provide them with the information they need and deserve to protect themselves. Risk notifications empower and inform consumers, allowing them to actively safeguard their personal information.” The Financial Data Protection Act of 2005 amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to strengthen its data security safeguards. The Financial Data Protection Act requires all “consumer reporters” or those consumer reporting agencies and financial institutions that regularly handle consumer financial information, to notify consumers if responsible for a potential identity theft or fraud risk. Additionally, consumer reporters will be required to implement increased protections against all forms of financial fraud and ensure a higher level of data security.
Hate Crime
Bean: No Response
Sex-related Crimes
Bean: No Response
Crimes Against Children
Bean: As part of her continuing efforts to address and help families confront the rise of Internet-based crime, on April 18, 2006, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-8) announced her introduction of the SAFER NET Act (HR 4982) at an Internet Safety forum in Wauconda hosted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. SAFER NET (Safeguarding America’s Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies) will streamline and improve existing efforts to educate families and consumers while promoting Internet safety. This ground-breaking legislation will establish an Office of Internet Safety and Public Awareness, a clearinghouse and primary portal to Internet safety resources. Through its website and outreach efforts, the Office of Internet Safety and Public Awareness will provide easy access to better organized, understandable, and up-to-date information on safe Internet use. “The Internet provides kids access to the world, but it can also bring a world of dangers into their homes. With more than 87% of teens using the Internet on a regular basis, this isn’t an issue we can afford to ignore,” Bean said. “SAFER NET will help families protect their children from on-line predators by improving the accessibility, coordination and efficiency of the many government resources that already exist for that purpose.” The Office of Internet Safety and Public Awareness will give Internet users unprecedented access to information about identity theft, cyber crime, and child predators as well as countermeasures and “best practices” for consumers and businesses alike. Grants to promote safe Internet use will also be channeled and dispersed through the Office of Internet Safety and Public Awareness. Creation of the office will require a relatively minor reorganization of the numerous, although splintered, efforts already committed to combating Internet-based crime. According to Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, one in five children (10 to 17 years old) is sexually solicited online. Last year, more than 685,000 consumer fraud and identity theft complaints were reported to the Federal Trade Commission, 46% of which were Internet-related. These cyber crimes resulted in a loss for consumers of over $335 million.
Violence Against Women
Bean: No Response
Child Abuse And Neglect
Bean: No Response
Human Trafficking
Bean: No Response
Corporate Crime
Bean: No Response
Victimless Crimes
Bean: No Response
Non-Violent Crime
Bean: No Response
Domestic Violence
Bean: No Response
Rape
Bean: No Response
Corporate Fraud
Bean: No Response
Police & FBI Agents
Bean: No Response

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