The Patriot and Eft Acts

The Patriot and EFT Acts

Tyler Jones

BIS220

07/16/2013

Dale Gibler, MSCIS

The Patriot and EFT Acts

Advancements in information technology have made it necessary for the government to put new laws into effect to help protect people against criminals.  Almost every new technological advance helps people but it can also be used to take advantage of them as well.  These new laws affect everyone’s job as well as their personal lives.  The Patriot Act and the Electronic Funds Transfer Act are no different.

In the early stages of the introduction and growth of the internet, several people discovered that it was possible to make programs to transfer money over the internet.  Banks and individuals alike quickly latched onto this system because it made transferring money between people and businesses much more efficient.  As well as making transactions more efficient, it also opened the door to internet based fraud.  People could make a website that mimicked a legitimate one and steal people’s money.  The Electronic Funds Transfer Act was put into effect to help protect people from scams.  “Due to the unique characteristics of such systems, the application of existing consumer protection legislation is unclear, leaving the rights and liabilities of consumers, financial institutions, and intermediaries in electronic fund transfers undefined.” (FDIC, (1980))  

After the terrible events of September 11, 2001, the US Patriot Act was signed into law.  This Act allows the federal government, as well as, all law enforcement to have access to many more tools to fight crime as well as terrorism.  “The Patriot Act allows investigators to use the tools that were already available to investigate organized crime and drug trafficking.”  (The Department of Justice (2001))  This Act has been a serious topic for debate since it has been signed into law.  Supporters of the act say that the government should have had many of these tools and rights long ago.  People that do not support the act say that it infringes upon their constitutional rights.  Whichever way it is looked at, the Patriot Act allowed the government to use available technology to more effectively fight crime, as well as, terrorism.

The explosion of the internet fueled many new advancements in technology.  Electronic funds transfers are one of the many advancements.  I use this technology on an almost daily basis.  Anytime that I need to access my bank account or transfer money, all I have to do is log onto my computer and it is done almost instantly.  Businesses use this technology much more frequently than the average person.  Most, if not all, businesses today rely on electronic funds transfers to keep themselves operating efficiently.  The advancement of espionage and similar technologies allowed for the US Patriot Act to be extremely effective.  The use of the new technology allows investigators to do their jobs much more effectively and with less risk to themselves and their co-workers.  As long as I do not commit any criminal or terrorist acts, the Patriot Act does nothing more than to protect my family and I.  Growing up I worked in a bank, and after that I joined the military and deployed several times.  I have seen both of these acts in use on multiple occasions.  By seeing and working with both of these acts I am much more prepared to protect my data and private information.  By working at the bank, I know just how easy it is for criminals to get ahold of my information if I am not careful.  By monitoring my emails and websites that I access, I am able to detect and avoid scams and potential fraud.  I frequently change my passwords and constantly am up to date on my credit score, as well as, my credit history.  This enables me to detect any purchases or applications for credit that I did not initiate.