Identity theft is a crime: Resources from the Government

About the Task Force

The President’s Task Force on Identity Theft was established by Executive Order 13402 on May 10, 2006, launching a new era in the fight against identity theft. Recognizing the heavy financial and emotional toll that identity theft exacts from its victims, and the severe burden it places on the economy, President Bush called for a coordinated approach among government agencies to combat this crime.

The President’s charge was to craft a strategic plan aiming to make the federal government’s efforts more effective and efficient in the areas of identity theft awareness, prevention, detection, and prosecution. To meet that charge, the Task Force, chaired by the Attorney General and co-chaired by the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, focused on several areas:

Law Enforcement. The Task Force examined the tools law enforcement can use to prevent, investigate, and prosecute identity theft crimes; recover the proceeds of these crimes; and ensure just and effective punishment of identity thieves.

Education. The Task Force surveyed current education efforts by government agencies and the private sector on how individuals and corporate citizens can protect personal data.

Government safeguards. Because government must help reduce, rather than exacerbate, incidents of identity theft, the Task Force worked with many federal agencies to determine how the government can increase safeguards to better secure the personal data that it and private businesses hold.

The Task Force conducted meetings, spoke with stakeholders, and invited public comment on key issues. The recommendations that comprise the strategic plan are designed to strengthen the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; to educate consumers and businesses on deterring, detecting, and defending against identity theft; to assist law enforcement officers in apprehending and prosecuting identity thieves; and to increase the safeguards used by federal agencies and the private sector with respect to the personal data they hold.

Task Force History