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 California identity theft victims numbered 45,175 in 2005, according
to the Federal Trade Commission, which operates a nationwide identity
theft hotline. California, with 125 victims per 100,000 population,
ranked third in the nation behind Nevada and Arizona. California
identity theft information and links are listed below.
California Office
of Privacy Protection
California Identity Theft Registry
California
Attorney General's office identity theft information
California
Department of Motor
Vehicles
California Do
Not Call Registry information
California Identity Theft News:
California
Attorney General Lockyer Alerts Consumers About Law to Help Prevent
Identity Theft
California
Attorney General Lockyer Warns Consumers of Con Artists Posing
as Justice Department Employees
Attorney
General Lockyer Urges Delay in Preempting State Laws Protecting
Victims of ID Theft
Attorney
General Lockyer Announces Arrests of Six Supspects in Sophisticated
$1.4 Million Medi-Cal Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme
California Identity Theft Laws and Regulations:
It is a felony in California to use the personal identifying information
of another person without the authorization of that person for any
unlawful purpose including to obtain credit, goods, services, or
medical information [Penal Code section 530.5 et. seq.].
California also requires businesses and government agencies to notify
consumers if hackers gain entry to computers that contain unencrypted
personal information such as credit card numbers, pass codes needed
for use of personal accounts, Social Security numbers or driver's
license numbers. Under the state law (SB 1386-Peace/CHAPTER 915,
Stats of 2002.), notices must be given immediately following discovery
of the privacy breach unless a law enforcement agency determines
the notice would impede a criminal investigation. Any customer injured
by a violation of the law may file civil suit to recover damages.
Please check with California Department of Justice for the
most up-to-date information.
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