Investigating identity crime and misuse in Australia: the role of prevention technologies and the likelihood of victimisation
| Date | 24 December 2024 |
| Pages | 50-63 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-08-2024-0056 |
| Published date | 24 December 2024 |
| Author | Victoria Berezowski,Kamel Taoum,Joanna Wang,Philip Birch,Claude Roux,Huan Huo |
Investigating identity crime and misuse
in Australia: the role of prevention
technologies and the likelihood
of victimisation
Victoria Berezowski, Kamel Taoum, Joanna Wang, Philip Birch, Claude Roux and Huan Huo
Abstract
Purpose –This study examinesidentity theft as a significant and growing issue in Australia, not onlydue
to its financial impact but also because of the emotional, psychological, and physical harm it causes,
making it a publichealth concern. This study aims to analysethe results of the 2019 AustralianInstitute of
Criminology (AIC) survey to identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of identity theft
victimisation.
Design/methodology/approach –This studyinvolved a detailed analysis of the 2019 AICsurvey, which
had 9,968respondents from a sample of 10,000.The research focused on whether respondentshad ever
been victimisedby identity theft and analysed various characteristics, includingdemographics (gender,
age, Indigenous status, education), income, computer usage, and preventive technology use, as
potential indicators of future victimisation. Univariate analyses (chi-squared test and two-sample t-test)
were used to assess individual associations, whereas a multivariate analysis (logistic regression)
identifiedsignificant predictors of victimisation.
Findings –The univariate analyses indicated that all sub-variables were individually associated with
identity theft victimisation.However, the multivariate analysis revealed that only identifyingas Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander, having an income between $18,201 and $37,000, and using multiple
preventive technologies were significant predictors of victimisation. The unexpected finding that
increasedpreventive technology use correlateswith a higher risk of victimisation contradictsthe survey’s
suggestionthat victims adopt more careful behaviourpost-victimisation.
Practical implications –The research highlights the need for further investigation into the
counterintuitivefinding that greater use of preventive technologiesmay increase the risk of identity theft.
Understandingthis discrepancy could inform the development of more effectiveidentity theft prevention
strategiesby the government and related agencies.
Originality/value –This study contributesto the existing literature by offeringa nuanced understanding
of the factors associatedwith identity theft victimisation in Australia that may be applicableglobally. The
unexpected findings regarding the use of preventive technologies provide a basis for further research
and havethe potential to influence future policymakingand identity theft preventionefforts.
Keywords Identity theft, Information misuse, Victimisation, Indigenous status, Technology use,
Public health
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Identity theft, defined by Koops and Leenes (2006) as “[...] fraud or another unlawful
activity where the identity of an existing person is used as a target or principal tool without
that person’s consent” (p. 5), is a growing problem in today’s digital age where sensitive
personal information is readily accessible online. Identity theft has also been defined as a
(Informationabout the
authorscan be found at the
end of this article.)
Received 14 August 2024
Revised 17 October 2024
Accepted 18 November 2024
The authors would like to
acknowledge the Australian
Institute of Criminology for
permission to re-examine the
2019 survey data.
PAGE 50 jJOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE jVOL. 11 NO.1 2025,pp. 50-63, ©EmeraldPublishing Limited, ISSN 2056-3841 DOI 10.1108/JCRPP-08-2024-0056
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