NCJ Number
205476
Journal
Privacy & American Business Volume: 10 Issue: 5 Dated: June/July 2003 Pages: 1-32
Editor(s)
Alan F. Westin
Date Published
June 2003
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This June/July 2003 issue of the Privacy & American Business report presents a special double issue on identity theft.
Abstract
Results from the Privacy & American Business’s identity theft survey are presented. The survey found that 33.4 million Americans have been identity theft victims since 1990. Results demonstrated an upward trend, with almost half of all identity theft victimizations occurring between January 2001 and mid-May 2003. Out of pocket expenses to victims totaled $3.8 billion; victim costs are expected to continue rising. Variations in identity theft victim measures are explored and specific findings from the identity theft victimization survey are reported, such as age groups most likely to be victimized, how the fraud was carried out, and consumer defensive actions. Differences between identity theft and identity fraud are explicated. A high level of awareness of the problem of identity theft/fraud was discovered among consumers. The findings further indicated that organized criminal groups are involved in large scale identity theft/fraud schemes and preventive law enforcement action is pertinent. Also contained in this issue are 10 other articles concerning issues of identity theft/fraud. “How Identity Theft is Carried Out” examines the variety of ways personal data is compromised, while “A New Wrinkle in Crime: Corporate Identity Theft” shifts the focus from individual consumer victims of identity theft to the corporate victims of identity theft. Next, an article entitled, “ID Theft Goes Global” shines a light on the problem of identity theft in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. “ID Theft: Business and Government Initiatives” outlines the efforts of the government and business community to limit the incidence of identity theft and FCRA Amendments are reviewed that would impose new identity theft prevention obligations on consumer reporting agencies. “California in the ID Theft Spotlight” examines the new California law requiring the public disclosure of computer security breaches involving the personal information of California residents. A review is offered of consumer-oriented identity theft brochures and the fundamentals of identity theft insurance are reviewed. “Identity Theft Arrests and Prosecution” outlines cases of identity theft occurring in 2002 through 2003, while the final article, “The Media and What the Public Understands About Identity” explores public perceptions of identity theft.