There is a lot that congress has done in regards to prosecuting against people who steal your identity.  In 1998, congress passed a law stating that identity is a federal crime and can carry a maximum prison sentence of 30 years in prison.  Other interesting facts about identity theft are further illustrated from the article, "prosecuting identity theft," by oblringer on page 7 of the article.

According to the Secret Service, its investigations show a jump in potential losses due to identity theft, from $851 million in 1998 to $1.4 billion in 2000. While some of this increase may be due to an increase in investigations of the crime, the most likely reason is the advancement of the Internet and technology in general.

Part of the problem is the fact that the United States has no formal, centralized identification system. The most widely used ID card is the drivers' license, which has often been issued without good verification of the person's identity. The social security number that is used for verifying identity and setting up so many different types of accounts, loans and other financial necessities can be found, bought or stolen more easily than ever. It's found on many insurance cards, employment records, student ID cards, pay stubs and, of course, financial account records. The bottom line is: Protect your social security number at all costs. Don't give it out unless you have to, and don't carry the card with you. (Obringer, 7)