(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Financial Services Roundtable honored Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) Tuesday for his leadership in the passage of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT), a law to protect consumers from identity theft and ensure the continuation of our national uniform credit standards.

“Congressman Moore was instrumental in the passage of the FACT Act and equally important in adding protections for identity theft,” said Steve Bartlett, Roundtable President and CEO. “Had it not been for Congressman Moore, it would have been weaker legislation and might not have happened at all. We appreciate his leadership, intelligence and courage.”

Identity theft is a growing problem in Kansas and across the nation. In 2003, there were 1,378 identity theft victims in Kansas, including 107 in Overland Park, 103 in Kansas City and 69 in Olathe.

“I’m proud to be recognized for my work to prevent identity theft, provide for a strong national credit system and preserve consumers’ access to affordable credit,” Moore said. “This law provides the appropriate balance between preserving the continuity of our credit system and the strongest consumer protections enacted in over a decade.”

The FACT Act improves the prompt investigation and correction of disputed information in a consumer’s credit file, discourages the reintroduction of fraudulent information into the credit reporting system, and empowers consumers to guard against identity theft by increasing the effectiveness of consumer initiated fraud alerts and allowing consumers access to one free copy of their credit report every year. Without the passage of the FACT Act, important laws governing the nationwide credit system would have expired on January 1, 2004.

The Financial Services Roundtable is an association of 100 of the largest integrated financial services companies providing banking, securities, insurance and other financial products to American consumers and businesses.