HAYWARD - Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) today announced her plans to introduce the Consumer Sales Security Act in response to the recent spree of thefts from the unauthorized tampering of grocery store EFT devices throughout the East Bay.  This bill would increase funding for law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate consumer identity theft cases related to EFT transactions and make crimes involving the illegal tampering a felony.  The Consumer Sales Security Act would also require the Office of Privacy Protection to develop an identify theft prevention program for businesses and retailers.  The program would educate retailers on security methods and procedures to better protect the financial data of their customers.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Department has reported that high-tech thieves have stolen more than $100,000 from over 80 customers at the Albertson’s grocery stores in San Lorenzo and the city of Alameda.  More recent estimates predict that more than 500 customers may have been affected by this scam. 

To help victims better understand how to notify their financial institutions of the crimes, Assemblymember Hayashi is hosting an Identity Theft Workshop Saturday, April 21st at the San Lorenzo Community Church located at 945 Paseo Grande in San Lorenzo from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Representatives from the California Office of Privacy Protection and Save Mart Supermarkets (formerly Albertson’s) as well as the lead investigator from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department will speak at the workshop.  The event will also provide literature and helpful tips for dealing with this type of fraud as well as fraud involving the theft of personal social security numbers.  

The identity theft workshop is open to the public.  If you would like to attend, please contact Assemblymember Hayashi’s district office at (510) 583-8818.  Free parking is available.

Hayashi serves the 18th Assembly District, which includes San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, most of Castro Valley and Pleasanton, and a portion of Oakland, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo.