Reps. Taub, Amos, Marleau and Palmer offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 157.

A resolution designating November 27 through December 3, 2005, as Fraud Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Telemarketing, mail, Internet, identity, and occupational fraud victimize millions of Americans and businesses each year; and

Whereas, The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2002 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse indicates that the typical U.S. organization loses six percent of annual revenue to fraud and that the average fraud scheme lasted 18 months before detection; and

Whereas, More than 80 percent of occupational frauds involve asset misappropriations.  Michigan’s Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS) recovered $8,765,576.50 for Michigan consumers in 2004, and $4,230,470.47 for Michigan consumers through the first half of 2005; and

Whereas, The Consumer Sentinel reports over 18,000 residents of Michigan filed complaints of fraud and identity theft in 2004.  Internet auctions, catalog sales, and sweepstakes were the top complaints of fraud.  Phone or utilities, credit card, and bank fraud were the top types of identity theft; and

Whereas, The Consumer Sentinel reports that fraud cost Michigan consumers almost $11 million last year.  National statistics indicate every state loses three percent to ten percent of its Medicaid budget to fraud, which is $225 million to $750 million in Michigan; and

Whereas, Michigan’s First Annual Fraud Awareness Symposium, organized by Cendrowski Corporate Advisors and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, will be held on November 29, 2005, in Troy as part of Fraud Awareness Week; and

Whereas, The conference is intended to boost awareness of the risks of fraud facing Michigan residents and businesses.  The conference will explore the magnitude of fraud, the impact of fraud on the Michigan economy, and the steps needed to prevent, detect, and deter fraud; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body designates November 27 through December 3, 2005, as Fraud Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.  As crimes of fraud continue to increase state and nationwide, it is important to educate and inform the public about telemarketing, mail, internet, identity, and occupational fraud.