George W. Bush

“ As one of the highest impact financial crimes in our Nation, identity theft can undermine the basic trust on which our economy depends. Millions of Americans have had their identity stolen, costing them and our country's businesses billions of dollars. Identity theft can shake consumers'confidence, destroy a person's financial reputation, and damage lifelong efforts to build and maintain a good credit rating. ”

“ I call upon government officials, industry leaders, and consumer advocates to provide citizens with information about identity theft and how they can be responsible consumers, and I encourage all citizens to take an active role in protecting their personal information. ”

“ This year's National Consumer Protection Week focuses on the impact and problems caused by identity theft and on the steps Government is taking to safeguard personal information. Today, many Americans reveal personal information when making purchases, borrowing money, or opening a bank or credit card account. ”