In this era of hyper-vigilance about the safe keeping of Social Security numbers and other personal information (e.g. Sen. Mark Foley's emails to young boys), it is hard to believe that less than a decade ago, “identity theft” was not even a term in the average American’s vocabulary. In fact, not until 2005 did the term even appear in the dictionary. Today, the president oversees a task force to combat identity theft which recently released its annual progress report.
That annual report by the Identity Theft Task Force, a group comprised of 17 federal agencies and departments co-chaired by the Attorney General and the FTC Chairman, documented efforts to implement the 31 recommendations of its Strategic Plan in four key areas: data protection, avoiding data misuse, victim assistance, and deterrence.
With respect to data protection, the task force member agencies launched a variety of initiatives aimed at making the federal government a better custodian of sensitive personal information. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) led an interagency initiative to eliminate unnecessary uses of Social Security numbers (SSNs) in federal government human resource functions, while individual agencies began to eliminate unnecessary uses of SSNs in all aspects of their work. (We are unsure whether or not that includes filling out non-work related forms requiring SSNs while at work.)
In an effort to make it harder for thieves to misuse consumer data, the task force also held two public workshops, including both public and private sector representatives as well as consumer advocates, that explored ways of improving consumer authentication processes to prevent the use of stolen personal information to access existing accounts or open new ones.
To assist those who become victims of identity theft and prevent additional victims, member agencies provided identity theft training to over 900 law enforcement officers from over 250 agencies in the past year. They are also working with the American Bar Association on a pro bono legal assistance program for identity theft victims, improving law enforcement tools to investigate and prosecute identity thieves, and are continuing to evaluate the effectiveness of various laws and programs designed to help victims.
Similarly, in September of 2008, President Bush signed into law a bill that helps victims recover the value of the time lost attempting to repair damage inflicted by identity theft, criminalizing additional acts of identity thieves, and expanding the definition of aggravated identity theft.
Understanding that sometimes the best defense is a good offense, the Task Force has worked to improve law enforcement’s ability to investigate, prosecute, and punish identity thieves by proposing legislation to Congress, improving coordination and training for local law enforcers, and targeting criminal enforcement initiatives. Task Force members are also partnering with foreign law enforcement agencies in identity theft investigations and providing them with training and assistance, and encouraging greater information sharing among and between law enforcement agencies and the private sector.
Clearly, identity theft is a complex problem with wide-ranging and very serious consequences – as any victim will attest – and combating it is just as complex. While the government has a long way to go until it can say its citizens are safe from identity thieves, it is reassuring to see progress in action.
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