    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [May 10, 2006]
    [Pages 916-917]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Victims of Identity Theft
    May 10, 2006

        Identity theft is a serious problem in America. I have just listened
    to the horror stories from fellow citizens who have had their identities
    stolen. I listened to their ideas about how the Federal Government can
    help in the response in not only dealing with those who commit the crime
    but helping those who have been victimized. And I want to thank you all
    for joining us. Thanks a lot.
        I appreciate Al Gonzales and
    Chairman Majoras, Deb Majoras, of the FTC
    for being here, because I just signed an Executive order that has the
    Attorney General as the Chairman, the Chairman of the FTC as the Vice-
    Chairman of a coordinating group to make sure that this Government of
    ours uses our assets in a responsible way, in a good way, to not only
    put those people who commit identity fraud in jail but to help the
    victims of identity fraud.
        I've signed two pieces of legislation which are important, one of
    which says that credit companies must issue a credit report once a year
    free of charge. We're very serious about upholding the law in this
    administration, and credit companies must look at the spirit and the
    letter of that law, so that when citizens ask for the free credit report
    on an annual basis, he or she should be given that free credit report.
        I signed law enhancing penalties. Now what we're going to do is make
    sure that the 13 governmental agencies involved with identity theft have
    a well-coordinated strategy to help the victims and to put those who
    commit the theft behind bars.
        Again, I want to thank you all very much for helping us understand
    the issues but, more importantly, telling a story of the emotions and
    the feelings that you went through during this--difficult periods of
    your life.

    [[Page 917]]

        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:27 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    these remarks.