Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Prevention Act of 2016
Floor Speech
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Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 3832. Mr. Renacci and I are very good friends, as I am with Mr. Lewis, and it is good to see Mr. Pascrell here today.
The gentleman is right in that it is nice to see us working together to do something about people. This is about people. This is policy that concerns people, and it works in the right direction. I don't think there is anything quite as unnerving as finding out that somebody has stolen your identity. I think Shakespeare sums it up right in Othello by putting it really succinctly when he says: ``But he that filches from me my good name, robs me of that which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed.''
Now, Pennsylvania is sixth in population but second when it comes to fraud, tax fraud. This is incredible that this could happen.
As we sit here today--and as Mr. Pascrell so clearly pointed out, and Mr. Renacci--this is about protecting people from people who wish to do them harm. They not only wish to take their tax returns, but it robs them of their identity. There is nothing that could be more chilling than losing your identity.
As we look at how this goes forward--and I think that this phone fraud is the one that is particularly interesting. When the IRS calls on you, it is not on the phone. It is in writing. And I tell constituents all the time, I also have received those calls saying that: Hey, you know what? You need to get in touch with us right now. We can handle this over the phone with you.
I said: Fine. You know what? Leave your name and number, and I will get back to you because I am really busy right now.
That is followed by a very quick click.
There is so much going on in our world today. We are so vulnerable at every single turn. We put so much information out there on ourselves. This is a piece of legislation that protects people. It protects not only their returns, but protects their identity.
So I am glad that Mr. Renacci has done this with Mr. Lewis and my good friend Mr. Pascrell. We stand here today with the same purpose, and that is to protect the people who sent us here to represent them. It is the least we can do.
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