Metropolitan Approach to Identity Theft

• NCJ Number: 219294
• Journal: THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 74 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2007 Pages: 48-50,52,55
• Author(s): Robert F. Berardi
• Date Published: May 2007
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the development and operation of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Identity Theft Task Force.

Abstract

The LASD’s Identity Theft Task Force, developed in 2000, was conceived as a pilot project to provide a coordinated and localized effort to preventing and investigating identity theft crimes. The task force consisted of LASD personnel, and personnel from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the U.S. Secret Service, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Each member of the task force was included because the specializations of each agency were required for effective investigations. Some of the challenges faced by the task force once it began operations are described and include a small staffing allotment in the face of an increasing number of identity theft cases. The task force realized the importance of keeping statistics on identity theft cases in order to understand the true scope of the problem. Statistical record keeping focused on the number of search warrants issued, number of arrests, number of case filings, dollar amount of losses due to identity theft, recovery of fraudulently obtained property, dollar amount of prevented losses, number of victims, cases cleared by arrest, cases documented, and cases closed not workable. The task force was evaluated in mid-2001, which resulted in the continued departmental funding of the task force due to its productivity. This funding was augmented by a State of California grant, which it has received for the past 7 years. Grant funds help support task force member training, which is considered important due to the lack of knowledge of identity theft, even among law enforcement officers. Keys to the task force success are enumerated and include close partnerships with banks and other targeted institutions and adequate funding. 1 note