The Oklahoma Senate has approved legislation aimed at strengthening penalties and updating laws targeting fraud and identity theft, sending House Bill 3244 to the governor’s desk.
The measure expands Oklahoma’s definition of a pattern of criminal activity to include offenses carried out across multiple jurisdictions, including online and out-of-state crimes. It also broadens what qualifies as identity theft to cover newer forms of personal and financial data commonly targeted by criminals.
House Bill 3244 further expands the types of personal information covered under identity theft law to include items such as fingerprints, PIN numbers, DNA, usernames and passwords. It also increases penalties for repeat offenders and strengthens coordination between law enforcement and financial institutions investigating fraud cases.
Oklahoma Senator Chuck Hall said the bill responds to a sharp increase in fraud cases nationwide.
“Criminal fraud and identity theft have become a full-blown crisis across the nation,” Hall said.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, fraud reports rose from 3.5 million in 2019 to 6.5 million in 2025, with estimated losses reaching $12.5 billion.
The legislation also creates a new criminal offense for using coercion, deception or intimidation to exploit vulnerable individuals, including elderly residents and minors, into committing crimes.
Oklahoma Representative Steve Bashore, the bill’s House author, said the changes are designed to better protect victims and keep pace with evolving tactics.
“Identity theft is one of the most personal and hurtful kinds of violation that exists,” Bashore said.
The bill now awaits action from the governor.
