Senate Sends Bill to Prevent Identity Theft, Fraud to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate today passed legislation from Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, to crack down on fraud and identity theft by imposing harsher penalties for these crimes.

House Bill 3244, which passed the Senate unanimously, modernizes Oklahoma’s criminal fraud laws by expanding the definition of a pattern of criminal activity to include crimes committed across multiple jurisdictions, including online and out-of-state activity. It also broadens what qualifies as identity theft by including new forms of personal and financial data commonly sought by criminals.

Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, is the primary House author on this bill.

Hall said the sharp rise in reported fraud cases is alarming. In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission received 3.5 million fraud reports. By 2025, that number had jumped to 6.5 million, with an estimated $12.5 billion in losses.

“Criminal fraud and identity theft have become a full-blown crisis across the nation,” Hall said. “Updating these laws will help the state stay ahead of these criminals as they use technology in new ways to carry out complex fraud and theft schemes. These criminals often target the most vulnerable Oklahomans, which is why stronger penalties and updated protections are warranted. I appreciated working with Representative Bashore to advance this critical legislation.”

Importantly, HB 3244 closes a legal loophole and makes it a crime for someone to use coercion, exploitation, deception or intimidation to exploit vulnerable populations — including the elderly and minors — into committing a crime.

“Identity theft is one of the most personal and hurtful kinds of violation that exists,” Bashore said. “It strikes at the very core of who we are. I appreciate Senator Hall and his strong stance in protecting particularly the elderly and the vulnerable through this legislation. Stopping these crimes that are becoming more rampant and more inventive and administering stronger punishments to those that commit them will benefit all of society.”

HB 3244 also strengthens identity theft laws by expanding the list of personal information someone can illegally possess or use with fraudulent intent to include fingerprints, PIN numbers, DNA, usernames, passwords, and more. The bill strengthens penalties for repeat offenders and improves coordination between law enforcement and financial institutions investigating suspected fraud.

HB 3244 now advances to the governor’s desk.