The President's Identity Theft Task Force announced that it is seeking public comment on various recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government's efforts to reduce identity theft.
The Task Force, created in May 2006, is chaired by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and co-chaired by Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, with participants drawn from the Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal agencies.
In preparing to produce a final strategic plan to the president, the Task Force is considering a number of ways to:
- Improve the coordination and effectiveness of criminal prosecution of identity theft;
- Enhance data protection for sensitive consumer information maintained by the public sector, private sector and the general consumer; and,
- Provide more comprehensive and effective guidance for consumers and the business community.
The Task Force also is considering ways to improve recovery and assistance for consumers following a breach or misuse of their information.Summaries of issues being considered by the group, as well as instructions on how to submit comments, are available at
In September 2006, the group issued interim recommendations to President Bush.
