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The public comments on these issues will supplement the research and analysis being conducted, provide further information about the proposals being considered, and identify areas where additional recommendations may be warranted. Comments must be filed on or before Friday, Jan. 19, 2007.

Eighteen federal agencies are participating in the Task Force that is charged with coordinating a plan to combat identity theft and to recommend ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government's activities in identity theft awareness, prevention, detection and prosecution.

In 2006, 25 states created laws in regard to identity theft and information security, and Congress introduced 34 bills, according to The Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit victim assistance center.

The Center predicts an increase in 2007 of check fraud, check synthesizing, and check counterfeiting due to efforts to stop fraudulent use and issuance of credit cards.

"This is due to the lack of focus on checking account criminal activity and what to do for victims of this crime. In some cases, check fraud becomes the never ending story, and can lead to the arrest of the victim," the Center said in a statement.