Rep. McDonald Rivet Leads Bipartisan Bill to Support Law Enforcement & Crack Down on Identity Theft

WASHINGTON-Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) introduced the bipartisan Protect Your PIN Act. This bill, supported by Republicans and Democrats, will protect Americans from identity theft by enabling local law enforcement agencies to use federal resources to combat these crimes.

"Americans work hard for their paychecks. The last thing they should have to worry about is scammers stealing their money," said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. "The Protect Your PIN Act will empower local law enforcement to go after those who prey on working people and seniors, so nobody can steal your hard-earned money."

In 2023, American adults lost an estimated $43 billionto identity fraud. The Protect Your PIN Actwould expand guidelines to enable local law enforcement agencies to use grant funding from the Department of Justice's Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program to also combat identity theft.

The Protect Your PIN Acthas been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

"With the rapid advancement of technology, law enforcement needs additional resources to protect people from online harassment and abuse," said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. "The 'Protect Your PIN Act' ensures that law enforcement can use these same Federal resources to protect people from the growing threat of identity theft."

Congresswoman McDonald Rivet introduced the legislation alongside four Republicans and one Democrat: Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Josh Riley (NY-19), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), and John Rutherford (FL-05).

"Protecting Americans' financial security is not just an economic priority - it's a matter of national security," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing threats facing our families, draining paychecks, wiping out savings, and crippling small businesses. From my years in the FBI, I know this is a national-scale crime-yet we expect local police to confront it without the resources or reach to match its scope. The Protect Your PIN Act fixes that, delivering the federal tools our officers need to pursue criminals, protect victims, and defend the financial well-being Americans work a lifetime to build."

"I'm proud to back the Protect Your PIN Act because our local cops need backup to go after identity thieves," said Congressman Riley. "This is about keeping families safe, making sure criminals don't get a free pass, and helping our rural communities get the resources they need."

"As a member of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I'm proud to help co-lead the Protect Your PIN Act to give local law enforcement more tools to fight identity theft," said Congressman Ciscomani. "Right now, grant funding helps with online harassment and digital abuse, but leaves out identity theft. This bill makes sure those same resources can be used to protect people from having their identity stolen, keeping our families and communities safe from this growing threat."

"Identity theft continues to be one of the most pervasive and devastating crimes affecting American families. I'm pleased to co-lead the bipartisan Protect Your PIN Act to strengthen our nation's defense against these crimes," said Congressman Bacon. "The legislation empowers local law enforcement agencies with critical federal resources to better protect Americans from cybercrime and identity theft."

"As a former sheriff, I have seen firsthand how abusers use financial control to trap victims into cycles of fear and dependence. The Protect Your PIN Act helps strengthen local law enforcement's ability to fight back against identity theft, a crime that too often accompanies domestic abuse," said Congressman Rutherford. "By expanding eligible uses of this critical grant program, we're giving our officers the tools they need to end these cycles of abuse, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable."