NCJ Number
181968
Date Published
2000
Length
48 pages
Annotation
In January 1999, the National White Collar Crime Center initiated a research project to examine public perceptions of and experiences with white-collar crime.
Abstract
By April 1999, the center had completed a telephone survey of 1,169 U.S. citizens to assess their attitudes toward white-collar crimes such as fraud and embezzlement. Survey respondents were asked questions about the seriousness of white-collar crime, fear of white collar-crime, whether they or someone in the household had been victimized by white-collar crime, whether the victimization was reported, and perceptions of the white-collar criminal. Questions were also asked about participation in risk behaviors associated with white-collar crime victimization, views on white- collar crime control, and opinions on workplace theft. Survey results showed that one in three households had been victimized by white-collar crime during the past year. Widely held opinions about the profile of typical white collar crime victims were distinct from the actual profile of victims found in recent victimization research. There was a disparity between how respondents believed they would react if victimized and how they did react when they were actually victimized. Less than 1 in 10 victimizations were reported to law enforcement or consumer protection agencies. Respondents were deeply concerned about increasing the apprehension and sanctioning of white-collar criminals. The survey questionnaire and information on response bias issues are appended. 26 endnotes, 1 table, and 22 figures