Identity theft complaints: exploring the state‐level correlates
| Published date | 18 July 2008 |
| Date | 18 July 2008 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13590790810882883 |
| Pages | 295-307 |
| Author | George E. Higgins,Thomas “Tad” Hughes,Melissa L. Ricketts,Scott E. Wolfe |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance |
Identity theft complaints:
exploring the state-level
correlates
George E. Higgins and Thomas “Tad” Hughes
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Melissa L. Ricketts
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, USA, and
Scott E. Wolfe
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Abstract
Purpose – Identity theft is an emerging form of criminal behavior, with complaints about the
behavior rising. However, little research has explored the correlates of these complaints, especially
state-level correlates. The purpose of this paper is to examine the state-level characteristics correlated
with identity theft complaints.
Design/methodology/approach – The present study uses data collected from the 2000 US census
and the Federal Trade Commission’s 2002 through 2005 reports on identity theft. Regression is
used to determine explain identity theft complaints through state-level characteristics from social
disorganization to routine activities theory.
Findings – The results indicate that states with more males, higher residential mobility, and more
entertainment establishments are likely to have more identity theft complaints. States with more
populations that are age 15 and below are less likely to have as many identity theft complaints.
Research limitations/implications – The present study only examines state-level, macro data
and does not take into account individual, micro-level factors that are associated with identity-theft.
This study provides an important advance in understanding identity theft complaint reports. This will
aid policy makers in implementing strategies to reduce incidences of identity theft.
Originality/value – This paper is valuable to sociologists, criminologists, politicians, policy makers,
and the general public. It contributes to the current understanding of identity theft by examining
state-level correlates.
Keywords Theft, Identification,United States of America, Correlationanalysis
Paper type Research paper
Identity theft is a behavior that threatens the growth and development of economies
worldwide and has been viewed as the crime of the new millennium (Hoar, 2001).
Allison et al. (2005) argued that the US economy was particularly susceptible to
identity theft. In the USA, identity theft has resulted in actual losses ranging from
$442 to 745 million over a span of three years. Others have estimated that identity theft
costs between $53 and 73.8 billion per year (Weingart, 2003). While this gives some
perspective, the true extent of identity theft is unknown. Identity theft can also have
profound individual costs. For instance, a victim can expect to pay up to $3,000 and
spend a substantial amount of time restoring his or her identity (Federal Trade
Commission – FTC, 2006). Further, the FTC (2005) has acknowledged fluctuations in
complaints of identity theft since 2004.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1359-0790.htm
Identity theft
complaints
295
Journal of Financial Crime
Vol. 15 No. 3, 2008
pp. 295-307
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/13590790810882883
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