NCJ Number
210643
Journal
Fraud Magazine Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2005 Pages: 36-40,57,58
Date Published
July 2005
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article presents an interview with Betsy Broder, an assistant director within the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who investigates and prosecutes identity theft.
Abstract
Broder is assistant director in the FTC’s Division of Planning and Information. She oversees the identity theft program, which is engaged in the collection and analysis of consumer-related data, coordination with criminal law enforcement, outreach to industries, and consumer education. Broder is considered a national expert on identity theft and consumer fraud. In this interview, Broder answers questions regarding her duties and responsibilities as they relate to identity theft and about the role of the Internet in identity theft. She notes that while the Internet does facilitate certain types of identity theft, there is no evidence that indicates consumers are at higher risk of identity theft by conducting business online. Broder outlines the basic procedures citizens can use to protect themselves against identity theft but cautions that full protection from identity theft is not possible. Other questions posed to Broder included the steps citizens should take if they have been victimized and the status of legislation designed to protect consumers from identity theft.