Case Explained: House Unanimously Approves Legislation to Cut ID Theft – Legal Perspective

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, this week unanimously passed legislation in the House that targets the growing national crisis of identity theft.

Bashore said House Bill 3244 expands the definition and pattern of these crimes to better encapsulate fraud techniques used by criminals. It would close a loophole where criminals exploit vulnerable populations, including the elderly and minors. Third, it would greatly enhance Oklahoma identity theft laws by expanding the scope of which items or modes are utilized by criminals.

“Identity thieves are ruthless in their pursuit of stealing our personal information and using it to rob us of our assets,” Bashore said. “This is a huge issue occurring globally, nationally, and unfortunately right here in Oklahoma. We must make sure the law is stronger than the criminal intent. This bill is thorough, listing almost every kind of identity theft we can think of and matching penalties to fit these crimes.”

Bashore said he received support for the bill from the Oklahoma Bankers Association, law enforcement agencies statewide and the AARP Oklahoma, among others

HB3244 includes criminals operating in two or more municipalities, or when offenses are committed within and without the state or combined with online or phone fraud. The bill also adds the crime of organized retail theft, when groups work together to rob retailers.

The measure also clarifies and broadens punishment for the crime of using coercion, deception, enticement, intimidation, bartering, recruiting or other means to exploit someone into committing these crimes. This includes someone who has a mental illness, is vulnerable, homeless, intellectually or developmentally disabled, elderly, a user of drugs or alcohol or is a minor. Again, this adds in the pattern aspect of these crimes, making the punishment more severe for those who commit these types of crimes more than once.

The cost of identity theft is large, Bashore said.

“It can cost victims thousands of dollars financially if it doesn’t completely wipe out their assets. It can damage credit and create legal complications, and it can create enormous emotional distress. One’s identity, after all, is unique and personal, the very core of who they are. It’s time we hold better accountable and appropriately punish those who commit this type of crime.”

HB3244 passed the House on a vote of 92-0. It’s been referred for engrossment to the State Senate where it is authored by Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry. Hall is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bashore is Deputy Majority Floor Leader for the House.