Identity Theft Program
Undergoing Re-Organization
The Identity Theft Partnership in Prevention
program at Michigan State University is undergoing major re-organization sans
founding Director, Judith M. Collins,Ph.D. Professor Collins
announced in mid-January
of this year
that she had accepted a position with the U.S.Department of State in
Washington D.C. and could no longer serve as Director. Sandra Hoffman,
former Associate Director of the program, was named Interim Director.
On February 20, 2006, School of Criminal Justice
Director Edmund McGarrell convened a meeting of key stakeholders from
around the state and charged them with describing what an ideal ID
Theft program at MSU should look like. From this group the School will
build an Identity Theft Program Advisory Board to assist in keeping the
MSU program cutting edge in research, education and training.
Three issues were identified by the February 20th
participants as critical to a nationally recognized cutting edge
program. The first was the importance of victim services. Education and
training of victims, investigators, prosecutors, courts, and the
community at large was also emphasized. Lastly, participants recognized
the need for research to inform policy.
Introducing Sandra K.
Hoffman
Sandra Hoffman served as
Associate Director to the Identity Theft Partnerships in Prevention
program prior to being appointed Interim Director. She worked with Dr.
Collins on various research projects relating to identity theft, and
assisted in the development and delivery of the various related
workshops offered by that program.
Ms. Hoffman is a graduate of Siena Heights
University with additional course towards a Masters degree from the
University of Toledo. She has recently completed work on a project with
the Office for Educational Outreach at Bowling Green State
University-Firelands Campus to provide identity theft training on-line
to military personnel. Sandra also holds a part-time position with the
Adrian Township Police Department.
When asked what she saw the greatest challenge
facing the MSU Identity Theft Program in the absence of Professor
Collins, Sandra advises: “It’s obvious no one can fill Dr. Collins
shoes and the role she played in establishing and maintaining the
original Identity Theft Partnerships in Prevention program. She was the
program’s greatest cheerleader -spending unbelievable amounts of time
traveling around the country doing presentations. My greatest challenge
is going to be to keep up the momentum to keep the issue in the
forefront.”
The Nexus
of Identity Theft and Terrorism
Speculation on likely terrorist actions and specific indicators
point to more creative and adaptive strategies by terrorists
trying to enter the United States. Identity theft, beyond
its context for covert financing, is anticipated to become
more attractive to terrorists as a means of gaining entry
into the United States.
A successful Homeland Security intelligence program needs
information on identity theft and related activities. It
is critical that local law enforcement personnel understand
why and how identity theft activities relate to keeping our
homeland safe and what must be done to insure all possible
related information is forwarded to Fusion Centers for incorporation
with other bits of intelligence.
On June 9, 2006 the Michigan State University Identity Theft
Program will offer the Identity Theft and Terrorism: Anatomy
of an ID Theft Network workshop for law enforcement and private
security investigators. The workshop will run from 8:30am – 4pm
and will be held in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of 1407
S. Harrison, Nisbet Building. Cost is $125. For more information
contact Bridget Scott at 517.355.9648 or bridget.scott@ssc.msu.edu.
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