STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

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Whereas, New York State is committed to reducing crime at all levels in our State – including fraud and fraud-related activities – and of increasing concern is the crime of identity theft, which entails deliberate deception perpetrated against or by an individual or company for the purpose of unwarranted gain, usually carried out during the process of buying, using, selling a product or service, or other transaction; and

Whereas, identity theft continues to plague consumers at alarming rates, as identity thieves steal personal information to fraudulently open new credit accounts and make purchases, take out loans, authorize electronic transfers, make withdrawals from bank accounts, buy a car, establish phone service in another person’s name, or file for bankruptcy in another person’s name to avoid paying debts, paying in excess of $46 million as a result; and

Whereas, in the United States, 258,427 people reported identity theft complaints in 2007 and, among all states, New York State ranked 6th in the country with 19,319 complaints in 2007; and

Whereas, according to the Department of Justice, identity theft can have long-term and devastating effects on the lives of victims, including damage to credit records, refusal of loan applications, loss of job opportunities, and criminal records; and

Whereas, it is vital that all people – consumers, business owners, and professionals – have a greater understanding and awareness of predatory practices used by criminals who steal personal information, and it is also important to educate the public about identity theft, as increased knowledge helps individuals recognize and avoid potential threats and scams; and

Whereas, the New York State Consumer Protection Board is a leading example, nationally, of effectiveness in consumer advocacy and, as a persistent watchdog in many consumer issues affecting New Yorkers, this state agency is promoting “Identity Theft Awareness Week” through various activities, initiatives and resources that help raise awareness and educate the public about this crime and its prevention, through its support of measures to provide direct assistance to victims, and through its collaboration with other state agencies and law enforcement authorities; and

Whereas, victims of identity theft include family members, neighbors, co-workers and friends who work hard for all they have earned and own and, as identity theft is an egregious and personally violative crime, all New Yorkers join to observe Identity Theft Awareness Week and support its goals to protect the public and help the thousands of consumers who are victims of identity theft each year;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of New York State, hereby proclaim October 26-November 1, 2008 as

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this ninth day of of October in the year two thousand eight.

David A. Paterson
Governor

Charles O'Byrne
Secretary to the Governor