This guide addresses identity theft and how law enforcement agencies can reduce the impact and improve the overall response to identify theft.
Problem-Specific Guides produced by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services summarizes knowledge about how police can reduce harm caused by specific crimes and disorder problems. This guide addresses identity theft related crimes committed in the United States. The guide is divided into four main sections: the problem of identify theft; factors contributing to identity theft; understanding the individual agency’s problem; and responses to the problem of identity theft. It begins by describing the problem and reviewing factors that increase the risks of it happening, identifies a series of questions to assist in analyzing a local problem, and reviews responses to the problem and what is known from evaluative research and police practice. Understanding the factors contributing to the problem of identity theft assists in framing local analysis questions, determine good effectiveness measures, recognize key intervention points, and select appropriate responses. It is important then to combine the basic facts with a more specific understanding of the agency problem by asking the right questions and establishing a baseline for measuring effectiveness and thereby designing a more effective response strategy. Lastly, response strategies are presented providing a foundation of ideas for addressing the particular problem of identity theft. However, responses should be tailored to local circumstances. Also, identifying others in the community who share responsibility for the problem of identity theft--who can assist law enforcement in better responding to the problem. In the case of identity theft, there are clear implications for businesses, other government agencies, and consumer advocacy groups. Appendices A-B and references