Privacy commissioner calls for action against identity theft

Canadas privacy commissioner is imploring governments and businesses to take action against identity theft, calling it a pervasive problem for Canadians.Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart addressed the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, which just released a study on the issue.At the moment Canada lacks a clear picture of the prevalence of identity theft and a detailed breakdown of where fraudsters are getting personal information, Stoddard contends.We need better information about identity theft, she said in a statement. One reason for the lack of information is the lack of a centre of responsibility. Everyone is interested in preventing identity theft, but no one has overall responsibility for doing anything about it.Stoddard is proposing that the federal government create a clearinghouse or task force that would play a coordinating role on the issue of identity theft, gathering input from various government departments and agencies, the provinces, law enforcement, private-sector organizations and privacy advocates.We need to define and document the problem and then develop a variety of measures against identity theft, Stoddard says, adding that these should include a variety of punitive sanctions such as fines, as well as amendments to the Criminal Code.Stoddards call to action comes at a time when more and more insurers are offering or increasing their coverage for the problem.