Pubdate: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press Author: Marcy Gordon, AP Business Writer LAWMAKER WANTS FINANCIAL PRIVACY WASHINGTON - Amid an avalanche of public complaints that proposed federal rules could turn every bank teller into a spy for Big Brother, a Texas lawmaker is pushing legislation aimed at protecting Americans' financial privacy. The far-reaching legislative package unveiled Wednesday by Republican Rep. Ron Paul would, among other things, block proposed anti-money laundering rules that would track the habits of bank customers. At least two of the federal banking agencies that are proposing the "Know Your Customer" rules are reconsidering in response to the public outcry that started in December. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., for example, had received more than 14,000 e-mail messages and letters opposing the proposal as the end of last week. Privacy advocates, conservative groups, ordinary people and the nation's bankers themselves have complained that the rules would impinge on privacy rights. "We proclaim that American citizens have the right to be free of the snooping, spying, prying eyes of government bureaucrats," Paul told reporters. He said his legislation would "give Americans the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their every financial step is not being filed away and viewed as potentially criminal." Paul said about a dozen lawmakers, including House Republican Whip Tom DeLay of Texas, had agreed to join him as co-sponsors of the bill to stop the "Know Your Customer" rules. But the other two measures in his package to repeal the Bank Secrecy Act and to let people see the files on them created by the federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network hadn't attracted any co-sponsors yet and legislative prospects were clouded. The Bank Secrecy Act of 1974 obligates banks to report customers' cash transactions of $10,000 or more to law enforcement authorities. Paul said the law has failed to help catch drug dealers, who "are smarter than most bankers." Paul, a physician who is on the House Banking Committee, once ran for president as the Libertarian Party's nominee. His strict constitutionalist beliefs often put him at odds with his fellow Republicans. Paul maintains that the "Know Your Customer" rules violate the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable search and seizure. The proposed regulations would require banks to verify their customers' identities, know where their money comes from and determine their normal pattern of transactions. The current requirements for banks to report any "suspicious" transactions to law enforcement authorities would be expanded. The proposal is designed to combat money laundering techniques used by drug traffickers and other criminals to hide illegal profits. Money laundering is a major concern of law enforcement officials; it reached an estimated $30 billion in this country last year. Laundering includes the use of wire transfers and bank drafts as well as "smurfing," the practice of breaking down transactions into smaller amounts that do not have to be reported under the Bank Secrecy Act. Although Paul's bill regarding files kept by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network would not abolish the Treasury Department agency, he said he does not see any need for it. Most law enforcement activity should be done by states rather than federal "bureaucrats carrying guns," he said. Spokesmen for the agency said they hadn't seen Paul's legislation yet and had no immediate comment on it. Officials of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the office of the U.S. comptroller of the currency, which regulates nationally chartered banks, told The Associated Press on Friday that they were reconsidering the "Know Your Customer" rules they had previously proposed. The American Bankers Association last week urged the federal banking regulators to withdraw the proposal, warning it could make Americans lose confidence in the banking system and government. - --- MAP posted-by: derek rea