Submitted jointly by the Police Investigative Operations Committee, Crime Prevention Committee, Law Enforcement Information Management Section, Police Administration Committee, Private Sector Liaison Committee and Victim Services Committee

PIO.031.a07

WHEREAS, an estimated 8.9 million American adults fell victim to identity crime in 2006; and

WHEREAS, this victimization translates to an economic loss of $56.6 billion to consumers; and

WHEREAS, responding to identity crime poses a significant challenge to consumers, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, with many victims uncertain of the steps they should take if they suspect or discover identity crime; and

WHEREAS, crimes committed with compromised identities, coupled with the funding generated from related fraudulent activities, pose a significant challenge to our nation; and

WHEREAS, the IACP has previously called on law enforcement agencies to play a more active role in combating and responding to identity crime by recording all incidents of identity crime; and

WHEREAS, the Bank of America and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have formed a partnership to develop law enforcement and banking industry leaders to investigate identity crime and restore victims back to their pre-crime status; and

WHEREAS, the goal of this collaboration is to create a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy to prevent, investigate, respond to, and effectively aid victims of identity crime; and

WHEREAS, the strategy will address the critical responsibilities of law enforcement, the private sector, and the public through the work of four specific leadership groups: Law Enforcement Leaders, Banking Industry, Victim Response and Police Investigations; and

WHEREAS, the partners have launched a comprehensive website, www.idsafety.org, designed to educate both consumers and law enforcement about identity crime; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the IACP supports the efforts of the partnership in its development of a nationwide identity crime strategy that encompasses consumers, law enforcement, and the banking industry; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP encourages its members to visit www.idsafety.org to educate themselves on identity crime and how to better prevent and investigate the crime and respond to victims both informatively and restoratively; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP reaffirms the importance for all law enforcement agencies to record all incidents of identity crime for its potential investigative value and to provide victims with a police report, which is necessary to assist them in disputing fraudulent accounts and debts and preventing additional damage to their credit. 1Javelin/Better Business Bureau Survey - January 2006. 2Ibid.