"New Mexico must become more aware of the devastating effects of Identity Theft," said Governor Richardson. " Identity thieves steal more than names and numbers -- in many cases, they steal futures and ruin lives."
SB 720 also specifically outlaws the use of computers and electronic equipment to defraud or otherwise steal an individual's personal or financial identifying information, which is then used to strip their assets or destroy their credit rating. Commonly called "phishing" it costs the economy millions and incalculable damage to thousands of innocent victims.
This bill is also an essential step in the Governor's assault against meth dealers who often use stolen identities as a form of currency.
