ITAC Weighs In on Identity Theft in 2009
From political moves to the romantic lives of Hollywood stars, predictions abound at the beginning of each new year.
But what about identity theft? Organizations such as the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC), as well as professionals in the field of identity theft prevention, have a lot to say about what to look out for in 2009. We’ll outline a few potential ID theft pitfalls…and reveal what efforts are in the works toward a safer future.
New Information from ITAC
Spokespeople for the ITAC outlined the problems associated with identity theft and predicted it will continue into the new year, according to recent Businesswire reports.
They also commented that the incoming presidential administration carries part of the responsibility toward alleviating this $100 billion-a-year issue.
Unfortunately, safety measures such as border patrolling can actually hinder efforts to stop ID thieves, said Anne Wallace, president of ITAC. “…too often borders slow down or stop law enforcement agencies from finding and prosecuting the criminals who commit identity crime,” she said.
The assertions were made as part of the ITAC’s Identity Theft Outlook for 2009.
The Latest ID Theft Methods
Identity thieves will be honing their skills and developing new ones in the new year in order to thwart consumers and agencies who are increasingly savvy to their motives, officials say.
One key factor may be that agencies designed to waylay would-be ID thieves could be scaled down in light of the current economic climate, making it easier for criminals to do their worst.
New technology could also wind up being a two-edged sword as ID criminals take advantage of as much as 10 times the previous amount of malware at their disposal, ITAC’s findings warn.
What’s Being Done?
It’s not all bad news. ITAC will partner with Center for Applied Identity Management Research to look for solutions to the internet and real-world-pervasive identity theft racket. ITAC says it will bring together professionals in various sectors, from academia to law enforcement, in search of better ways to protect consumers and catch criminals.
The organization also points out that while thieves may be using technology to their advantage, so are crime investigators, with quicker response time and access to more records than ever. This could lead to better and faster identification of identity theft.
Moving Toward a Safer Future
The number of ways criminals might access one’s records–and commit theft–may be daunting. But 2009 could be the year the tide begins to turn, experts insist.
With quicker detection, excellent personal “watchdog” programs (such as credit monitoring services) and in-depth consumer education, identity theft may finally begin to dwindle.
However, consumers should always be on the watch for suspicious activity. Personal efforts are of utmost importance in aiding programs like ITAC’s initiatives and the FTC anti-phishing efforts. Combining the work of government, private, financial and personal anti-ID theft methods could mean a safer future…for everyone.
