Designing and evaluating two interventions to improve identity theft recovery outcomes

Abstract

Identity theft is among the most reputationally and financially damaging of all technology crimes. However, global understanding of identity theft is hampered by a lack of empirical research and a complex threat landscape. This paper reports on a four-stage project to improve identity theft outcomes for current and future victims, sponsored by a research grant from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). We first analysed 4,000 Australian cases of identity theft in order to understand the processes behind identity theft attacks, victim reporting trends, and opportunities for improving victim and investigation outcomes. Two opportunities for intervention were identified. The first related to understanding long-term victim recovery, and the informational and support mechanisms that improved victim welfare. The second related to developing improved data and threat sharing between telecommunications carriers and banks. From this analysis, we designed and implemented two interventions to improve identity theft outcomes: one at the individual level to improve identity theft recovery, and the second at the organizational level to promote threat sharing. This paper reports on the initial outcomes of implementing these interventions.