Digital Trends

The Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act has passed Congress and is on its way to the President to be signed into law.

The US is about to have and identity theft law. Known as the Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act, it’s passed Congress and is due to be signed into law the by President.

The Act will let victims sue criminals for restitution, as well as eliminate the $5000 floor that previously existed for unauthorized access charges to be filed, Vnunet reports, as well as making it a felony to install malware on more than 10 computers.

The bill was originally proposed in 2007 by Senator Patrick Leahy. However, it stalled in the House of Representatives until Leahy attached it to another bill regarding protection of former Vice Presidents.

Senator Leahy said:

"The key anti-cyber crime provisions that are included in this legislation will close existing gaps in our criminal law to keep up with the cunning and ingenuity of today’s identity thieves."