Identity theft tackled [Fla.]

Well done Florida! Your House passed a new, tough ID theft bill! Now it's on to the State Senate. Let's hope it moves quickly into law. --ScamSafe Ed.

By State Rep. Mike Davis, Dist. 101

It will soon be a lot tougher going for thieves who want to make a living by stealing or using your personal identifying information.

By a vote of 116-0, the House of Representative last week passed HB 741 Identity Theft. This is an important piece of legislation that imposes severe penalties on any person who steals the personal identifying information of another person and uses that information for illegal purposes.

In addition, the bill makes it possible for victims of identity theft to ask a court to speed up the process that will allow them to establish their innocence, clearing their reputation and records quickly of the crimes committed in their name.

The bill also makes it a crime to fraudulently use a deceased person's personal identification information. The bill has been sent to the Senate.

Rep. Mike Davis is the state representative for District 101, serving parts of Collier and Broward Counties.