The good news: identity theft convictions in 2007 increased by 26% over the 2006 total convictions. The bad news: that’s only 1,943 convictions out of the 1.6 million identity theft complaints in the Federal Trade Commission’s files. There were 1,534 convictions in 2006.

The numbers come from a 70-page report released by the Identity Theft Task Force established in May 2006 by President Bush. It is chaired by the US Attorney General and the FTC Chair.

In the report, the task force explained the challenges of arresting and convicting identity thieves.

“The profiles, purposes and methods of the perpetrators are continually changing. Identity theft today can be the product of organized crime rings here and abroad using increasingly sophisticated technologies, such as installing malicious software, phishing, spoofing, and database hacking to rap into repositories of consumer data,” explained the task force report’s authors.The report also included 31 recommendations to help reduce the number of identity thefts committed, and increase the number of identity theft convictions. They suggest reducing the use of Social Security numbers, better law enforcement training and improving cooperation among the states and between the US and other nations.

The task force also supports issuing identity “passports” for identity theft victims. “Such documentation is particularly important where a suspect ahs used the victim’s name in the commission of a crime,” the report said.

Americans have benefited from widespread identity theft prevention education campaigns. We know better than to give out our personal and financial information over the phone. We’re getting a lot better at spotting phishing e-mails. We’re more careful about giving out our Social Security numbers.

But it’s not always strangers who commit ID theft; in 26% percent of identity theft cases, someone known to the victims — family members, neighbors or employees — commits the crime.

But how do we protect ourselves from bank employees? There have been several cases recently where bank officers used their customers’ personal and financial information to commit identity theft crimes.

Such is the case of George Clayton, a former bank vice president of commercial lending from Manheim, Pa. Clayton took out four loans totaling $712,000 using the identities of three bank customers. His crimes took place between January 2006 and June 2008. One of the customers Clayton victimized finally discovered the loan and contacted the bank.It boggles the imagination that a bank officer in whom so much trust is endowed would betray his customers so egregiously. But perhaps even more mind-boggling is the length of time Clayton was able to get away with his malfeasance before the crime was detected.

It’s a sad, sad state of affairs when consumers can’t trust even their bankers.

It’s National Protect Your Identity Week, and if you haven’t done it already, this is the perfect time to enroll with Life Lock.

Last year, 8.4 million Americans became victims of identity theft. In less than four years, more that 250 million personal and financial records have been lost, stolen or exposed in data breaches. And, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center,

• Someone known by the victim perpetrates 30% of identity theft cases.
• Lost and stolen wallets are still one of the most common causes of identity theft
• 82% of the ITRC survey respondents discovered the crime through adverse action (bill collector, missing bank funds, job or credit denial, contact by law enforcement)
• Existing account ID theft costs victims an average of $550.39, and took an average of 116 hours to resolve
• New account ID theft costs victims an average of $1,865.27, and took an average of 158 hours to resolve

When you enroll with LifeLock, you’ll be covered by their comprehensive ID theft protection that makes them the service of choice for close to 1.5 million Americans. Their service includes:

• Fraud alerts
• Credit reports
• Reduction in pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail
• Removing your name from phone solicitors’ lists
• LifeLock exclusives WalletLock™, TrueAddress™ and eRecon™
• $1 million total service guarantee

Don’t wait another day. Visit LifeLock.com to learn more about these Life Lock services, and start protecting your identity today. For the very best value use the LifeLock discount code Defense.

An Ohio appeals court ruling makes it possible for Cynthia Lambert to sue an elected official. Lambert tried – and failed—to sue Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, when her identity was stolen, and her credit and finances were left in ruins.

Cynthia Lambert’s identity theft nightmare started with a speeding ticket she received in 2003. The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts posted her speeding ticket on their website, according to county policy. Anyone viewing the website had access to her name, address, Social Security number, birth date and other personal information.

Lambert’s ID theft led to her being billed for $20,000 in fraudulent purchases, 4% of the $500,000 in total purchases made by Traci Sutherland. Sutherland admitted that she was part of a crime ring that used the website to steal more than 100 identities, and was convicted for her crimes.

Hartmann has since shut down the website that was such a pot of gold for identity thieves. However, the Clerk of Courts’ office continues to post other documents that expose personal information. Hartmann said that to block that information would cost millions of dollars.

The appeals court decision is good news for people whose identities have already been stolen, but wouldn’t you rather avoid it altogether? If you think that you may become a victim of identity theft then Visit LifeLock.com to see how they can help to protect you even when government offices put you at risk. Sign up for their award-winning identity theft protection using promo code Defense for the best price.