Governor Perdue wants to hire 8 agents for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to start an identity theft division. Currently I.D. theft is investigated by the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs.
GBI director Vernon Keenan says Identity fraud is a problem that needs to be handled by his agency, which has more resources and can work with lawenforcement and sheriffs around Georgia.
"I.D. theft is not limited to one jurisdiction," says Keenan.
GBI director Vernon Keenan says Identity fraud is a problem that needs to be handled by his agency, which has more resources and can work with lawenforcement and sheriffs around Georgia.
"I.D. theft is not limited to one jurisdiction," says Keenan.
"A Georgia citizens personal information can be stolen in Tifton, used to open a bank account in Atlanta, and then to purchase jewelry in Dalton Utah California or even a foreign country. "
Governor Perdue says Georgia is 7th in the nation in identity theft per capita.
Governor Perdue says Georgia is 7th in the nation in identity theft per capita.
In 2006 he says the damage was 25 million in theft. Perdue is asking the legislature for 1 million dollars to fund the GBI's I.D. theft task force. The legislation is being carried by Republican Senator Joseph Carter of Tifton.
