SKIM Act

The SKIM Act, officially titled the Stopping Klepto-card and Identity Misuse Act, would require the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state/local law enforcement to report to Congress on efforts to combat access device fraud. It also would change federal sentencing guidelines to impose harsher penalties for offenses involving access devices and would broaden how losses are calculated in cases with many counterfeit or unauthorized devices. Specifically, the Act directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to revise sentencing guidelines to add a 4-level baseline increase for these offenses (with a floor of at least level 14) and to treat losses in cases with 10 or more counterfeit/unauthorized devices as including any unauthorized charges made with those devices. In addition, the Attorney General must deliver a detailed report to Congress within 90 days of enactment, outlining cooperative enforcement efforts, available technologies used by criminals, assistance requests from state/local agencies, areas of concern, and recommended policies and best practices.