"The IACP is pleased to join with the Bank of America to battle the growing threat of identity crime," said Mary Ann Viverette, IACP President and Chief of the Gaithersburg, Maryland Police Department. "Law enforcement agencies and the banking industry must be better prepared to help victims of identity crime, and this partnership will provide both with the tools they need not only to assist victims but also to prevent identity crime."
"We're committed to be a part of the solution when it comes to identity crime" said Mary Riley, Corporate Information Security, Bank of America. "In addition to the security information we have on our Web site, www.bankofamerica.com, our partnership with IACP addresses a real need for awareness and education programs for both consumers and law enforcement across the nation."
The first step in the project is the launch of a comprehensive Web site, www.IDSafety.org, designed to help both consumer and law enforcement officials prevent and report identity crime, investigate the perpetrators, and respond effectively to victims.
As the partnership grows, the IACP and BAC will develop a nationwide strategy aimed at further raising citizen awareness of identity crimes and the steps to prevent being victimized, as well as bolstering law enforcement's expertise in conducting investigations.
The IACP and Bank of America formed this partnership because responding to identity crimes poses a significant challenge to consumers, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies. All too often, victims of identity crime are uncertain about the steps they should take if they suspect or discover identity crime. A report from the Federal Trade Commission found that in 2005, barely one-third of identity crime victims contacted police to report their losses.
