BANK ROBBERS AND PAJAMAS

When we hear of someone robbing a bank we immediately have images of a person with panty hose stretched over his head and threatening the tellers with a gun. Granted that still happens, but for the most part the criminals of today are becoming more sophisticated. More and more criminals find it easier to do their crime behind a computer sitting in an easy chair. Today’s lawbreakers have also discovered the computer age, it is far safer to steal people’s bank account numbers and credit card numbers then use that information to obtain goods and services. There has been a bill filed in the state legislature that could give Oklahoma citizens more protection in the future.

 State Rep. Terry Ingmire {R-Stillwater} had filed HB 2245, this bill would require companies to notify their customers if their data base has been copied or compromised in any way. According to Rep Ingmire, over 49 million reported cases of identities were stolen from business records last year. He was quoted as saying, "Perpetrators of identity theft subject their victims to great financial damage and incredible inconvenience.  It can sometimes take months or years for individuals to even know they have fallen prey to an identity theft, This bill will hopefully reduce and stop the number of thefts by putting in place a system that notifies the victims ASAP so they can straighten out credit records and put financial affairs back in order."

As for myself, I have found that using credit cards is becoming a necessity in today’s world. While traveling I have noticed that many motels and other establishments will not even accept cash. While the credit card is convenient there is a drawback, if your account number is not properly protected and if that information falls into the wrong hands you could have problems.