Targeting Identity Theft
By J. James Estrada (08/13/07)
A woman was attempting to buy $600 worth of gift cards at a Target store one recent weekend. I was waiting in line patiently as the credit card she gave the register clerk was refused over and over again. I became curious as this transaction seemed to be going nowhere, but the "customer" kept insisting that the card be tried again. Finally, as one more pass became one more denial, the woman grabbed the card and darted for the exit.
My friend who was waiting on line with me said, "They've been buying gift cards with stolen credit cards." Sure. Steal a card and buy the gift cards before the owner realizes the card is missing and calls the credit card company to issue a halt. Several days after this incident, I read a news story of this very trend taking place throughout the country.
Identity theft, to which this kind of crime falls under, is quickly becoming the crime of the century. A survey by Gartner reports that approximately 15 million Americans were victims of some sort of identity-theft related fraud in the 12 months ending in mid-2006. In 2006, the dollar figure lost to this crime is just over 1 billion.
An article posted by the Family Security Foundation ran with the headline: Identity Theft Passing Drug Trafficking as #1 U.S. Crime. The column cites the Identity Theft Resource Center study that found "a majority of ID theft criminals are repeat offenders, with other offenses including immigration issues, substance abuse, violent crime, narcotic trafficking, and robbery."
Which state which leads the nation in identity theft crime? Arizona. Indeed, hand in hand with Arizona's methamphetamine and border security problems comes this fact: Arizona leads the nation in identity theft. The U.S. Congress has pending legislation that examines the link between meth use and identity theft. It's called the Methamphetamine and Identity Theft Study Act of 2007. It would conduct a study evaluating whether there are correlations between the commission of methamphetamine crimes and identity theft crimes.
The study is to include a statistical analysis of any correlation and to evaluate: (1) imposing a sentencing enhancement if a person commits both; (2) establishing a password-protected electronic clearinghouse within the Department of Justice for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to share information on crimes involving both; and (3) whether individuals who use methamphetamine are more likely to commit certain kinds of identity theft crimes, such as through the use of mail, than are others who commit identity theft crimes.
Why the link? Meth addicts have found ID theft the best way to fund their habits. Additionally, thieves have "employed" meth addicts to aid in their crimes. The drug addicts are hired to break into homes and cars in order to obtain information such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers and drivers licenses. When ID thieves recover even shredded material containing personal data, the meth addicts are paid to put the shredded material back together. More info is available at the Maricopa County Attorney's End ID Theft ( http://www.endidtheft.com ) website.
J. James Estrada
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