Identity theft is not a new concept, but with personal information easily circulating through cyberspace, it appears to be developing into a more common crime.


"In an effort to cripple the character-stealing cons, the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved a law on Jan. 3 that requires Michigan citizens to be notified if any personal information could be vulnerable after a security breach," said Sgt. Matt Bolger, a legislative liaison for the Michigan State police.


"Obviously, when it comes to identity theft, it comes to protecting citizens," said Heidi Watson, a Granholm spokeswoman.


Identity theft is one of the initiatives (Granholm) has worked hard on.


Bolger said the law, which will take effect July 2, is necessary because other identity theft acts have been specific to certain industries, such as banking. But Bolger agrees legislation can only do so much.


A routine trip to Lansing's Sparrow Hospital cost MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap more than a couple hours off work. It cost him his identity.


Even with the know-how of a top police administrator, the process of clearing his name took Dunlap seven months.


"I talked to other people that have (experienced) identity theft and they almost really have thrown up their hands," he said. "It's too much to work through. But you have to do it."


For the full article, see Laura Misjak, Not quite yourself?; MSU police chief shares experience as victim, warns about identity theft, Lansing State Journal, January 29, 2007.