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Justice Dept. Seeks New Tool Against Data Fraud

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Justice Department officials are pressing Congress for a new law to help them prosecute criminals overseas who traffic in stolen credit cards.

It's part of an effort to combat an increasingly lucrative crime that crosses national boundaries.

Authorities say the current law is too weak because it allows people in other countries to avoid prosecution if they buy and sell stolen card data entirely outside the United States.

The Justice Department is asking Congress to amend the law to make it illegal for an international criminal to possess, buy or sell a stolen credit card issued by a U.S. bank no matter where in the world the transaction occurs.

Leslie Caldwell, the Justice Department's top criminal official, says it would be a simple fix.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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