The efforts of NASS and others appear to be working. Colorado's Secretary of State, Scott Gessler, who chairs the NASS Business Identity Theft Taskforce, said that awareness of the problem has grown tremendously in the states where NASS has held workshops. "We have a lot of people who are interested in doing the things we're doing in Colorado," he said.

That's as it should be because criminals will be quick to shift from higher- to lower security states when changes start to be implemented. "I tell my counterparts in other states that there's no question that if we stymie crooks in our state, they're coming your way instead," Gessler said.

Information is dynamic. In the next 60 minutes:

251 businesses will have a suit, lien or judgment filed against them58 business addresses will change246 business telephone numbers will change or be disconnected81 directorship (CEO, CFO, etc.) changes will occur41 new businesses will open their doors7 businesses will file for bankruptcy11 companies will change their names