Victims Of Theft Research Articles

A Phenomenological Study on Parental Perpetrators of Child Identity Theft

In 2017, more than one million children became identity theft victims. Many perpetrators of child identity theft are parents, but there are limited data on these perpetrators. The purpose of this study was to understand parental perpetrators of child identity theft through the experiences of victims. Using a phenomenological approach, six adult victims of child identity theft engaged in in-depth interviews. Findings revealed perpetrators were perceived to lack guilt, be manipulative of their victim, and concerned about their public image. Victims often utilized a credit report to understand the scope of the identity theft and begin recovery. Federal agencies and creditors were contacted by victims as part of the recovery process, but were perceived as unhelpful. Implications for financial counseling and education are discussed, including the ethical boundaries of financial counselors and educators when working with victims who experience significant mental and/or physical health challenges as a result of the victimization.

Exploring Identity-Based Crime Victimizations: Assessing Threats and Victim Services among a Sample of Professionals

ABSTRACT An estimated 26 million American citizens per year have been victims of an identity-based crime. This study contributes to the scholarship on identity-based crime by examining serious identity-based crime victimization and the services available to help victims. This study investigated the interaction between victimized individuals and organizations and explored unmet needs for victim services. Interviews from focus groups with fifty professionals (e.g., private investigators, fraud examiners, victim service providers, and executives of firms offering victim services and protection services) working in identity-based crime victim services were used. The current study addressed two questions: 1) How do experts in the field of identity-based crime define the victims of identity theft and fraud and 2) How can the services for victims of identity-based crime be improved or expanded? Results show that professionals have a three-victim model of identity-based crime victimization, are greatly concerned about the rise in synthetic identity crime, and that identity-based crime victimization is present in a greater percentage of the population than most national estimates.

Risk and protective factors of identity theft victimization in the United States.

Identity theft victimization is associated with serious physical and mental health morbidities. The problem is expanding as society becomes increasingly reliant on technology to store and transfer personally identifying information. Guided by lifestyle-routine activity theory, this study sought to identify risk and protective factors associated with identity theft victimization and determine whether individual-level behaviors, including frequency of online purchasing and data protection practices, are determinative of victimization. Data from sequential administrations of the U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey-Identity Theft Supplement (ITS) in 2012 and 2014 were combined (N=128,419). Using multivariable logistic regression, risk and protective factors were examined for three subtypes: 1) unauthorized use of existing credit card/bank accounts, and unauthorized use of personal information to 2) open new accounts, or 3) engage in instrumental activities (e.g., applying for government benefits, receiving medical care, filing false tax returns). Existing credit card/bank accounts and new accounts identity theft victimization were associated with higher levels of online purchasing activity and prior identity theft victimization. All identity theft subtypes were associated with government/corporate data breaches and other crime victimization experiences. Routine individual-level preventive behaviors such as changing online passwords and shredding/destroying documents were protective. Identity theft subtypes showed divergent socio-demographic risk/protective profiles, with those of higher socioeconomic status more likely to be victims of existing credit card/bank account identity theft. Identity theft is a pervasive, growing problem with serious health and psychosocial consequences, yet individuals can engage in specific protective behaviors to mitigate victimization risk.

Capable guardianship against identity theft

PurposeThis paper aims to examine demographic differences between individuals who do not take measures to protect themselves from identity theft victimization and those who do. A majority of the research on identity theft has focused on predictors of victimization, reporting behaviors of the victims and their health and mental outcomes. However, little remains known about the individuals who choose to take any identity-theft measures despite concerns over this fast-growing breed of crime.Design/methodology/approachGuided by Felson and Cohen’s routine activities theoretical framework (1979), this study uses the 2014 Identity Theft Supplement of the National Crime Victimization Survey to identify the demographic characteristics that influence the use of self-protection measures among individuals in the general population.FindingsThis study finds that these individuals are much more likely to be white, older, female and highly educated. The decision to undertake protection against identity theft is also influenced by the following factors: prior experience of misuse, possession of a bank account in the prior 12 months, current possession of at least one credit card and awareness that one is entitled to a free copy of one’s credit report.Originality/valueThis study addresses the gap in scholarship on identity theft prevention by applying the concept of guardianship in Cohen and Felson’s routine activity theory (1979) to the usage of self-protection measures in a general population. Future findings will identify the areas which agencies and researchers can focus on to inform policies that foster individuals’ own initiatives to take self-protection measures against potential identity theft.

SIMPLE AND FAST DETERMINATION FOR GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE (GHB) IN URINE SAMPLE BY LLE AND GC-MS

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a depressant of the central nervous system able to promote disinhibition, anterograde amnesia and its use is related to Drug-Facilitated Crimes (DFC). Urine is the biological matrix of choice for toxicological analysis in victims of rape and/or theft in suspected victims of DFC. The aim of this work was the development of a simple and ultra-fast methodology for GHB determination in urine samples using GC-MS. Briefly, 250 µL of urine was pipetted in a vial and fortified with 10 µL (250 µg mL-1) of internal standard GHB-d6. Then, the sample was acidified and submitted to extraction with ethyl acetate. After stirring, the material was taken to a microcentrifuge (1 minute at 5000 rpm). Then the dried residue was derivatized with BSTFA + 1% TCMS for 10 min at 70 oC before injection. This method was successfully validated according UNODC and EMEA guidelines on bioanalytical method validation with limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.25 and 0.50 µg mL-1, respectively. Considering all steps for GHB determination, this analytical procedure allows the fastest detection of GHB in urine samples when compared to literature allowing the analysis of DFC suspect cases or clinical when endogenous GHB requires to be measured.

Theft Crimes Against Tourists and Visitors in Slovenia

Purpose – This paper investigates the nature of theft crimes against tourist and visitors in Slovenia. The main objective of the study was to identify the characteristics of theft victims in tourist areas and to analyze the differences in risk between various crime scenes and types of crime. Design/Methodology – Using data from police crime statistics and applying a binary logistic regression, we analyzed the relationship between the crime scene and nature of the crime, as well as between the domestic/foreign status of the visitors and type of crime. Since the study uses data from official police database, one of the major challenges was to eliminate crime events from the analysis that occurred outside tourism areas.. This problem was addressed by using geotagged photos from Flickr platform with different spatial queries. Findings – The findings offer evidence indicating that the victims’ backgrounds (status and age group) and accommodation type, determine their vulnerability to certain crimes. The results show that foreign victims are more likely to suffer burglary than their domestic counterparts. In addition, crimes against foreign visitors and tourists are more likely to involve seniors, amount to larger losses, and take place in hotels, motels, and camps. On the other hand, crimes against domestic visitors are more likely to take place during evenings in bars, restaurants, and in vacation homes. Originality of the research – This study shows that combining data from different public sources into one analysis allows a more reliable analysis of police crime records.

Reporting behavior of bicycle theft victims: a test of Black’s theory of law

Based on Black’s theory of law, scholars have examined crime-reporting behavior in many countries and regions. To extend the scope of the theory, this study uses data from the 1992 United Nations International Crime Victimization Survey in Beijing and applies Black’s theory of law to examine the behavior of crime reporting of bicycle theft victims. The results suggest that age is positively correlated with reporting behavior, and victimization occurring in a public setting is less likely to be reported. Other variables have no statistically significant impact on crime reporting. Moreover, the control variable (seriousness of the crime) is proportional to reporting behavior. Implications of the study and directions for future research are discussed.

From Victimization to Fear: Fear of Crime and its Variations Among Victims

Abstract The relations between victimization and fear of crime are traditionally studied using binary combinations. Research focuses on whether the fact of having suffered a victimization increases the risk of being afraid, without ever considering the variety of profiles of victimization. We propose to contribute to an elucidation of this phenomenon by examining a group of victims of theft and assault using the accumulated data of systematically repeated victimization surveys in France, and classing these individuals according to the type and intensity of the victimization experienced. We will then look at the relationship between fear of crime and these different profiles. The results show the absence of a single, homogeneous correlation, but rather, the existence of a variety of patterns linking these two variables.

Posiadanie w prawie karnym i cywilnym – czy dzierżyciel i prekarzysta może być pokrzywdzonym przestępstwem kradzieży?

The structure of ownership in civil law consists of two elements. The first is the element of physical wielding (corpus possesionis), and the second is a psychological (subjective) element; constituted by a presumption in favour of possession – one is always presumed to possess in his own interest (animus rem sibi habendi). Legal possession is the detention (control) or enjoyment of property or right that we hold or exercise by ourselves. Having control over property for someone else is defined in civil law as holding (Art. 338 of the Civil Code), which concerns the realization of a certain task. Possession as a factual status is protected by Art. 278 § 1 K. K. and should be interpreted more broadly than within the civil law definition. It constitutes an actual control over a movable property, which can also be exercised by a holder acting on his own behalf (commissionaire), who is not the possessor within the definition of the civil law. In contrast, it appears that a holder not acting on his own behalf (employee) is not protected by Art. 278 § 1 K. K. It seems erroneous that the protection of unlawful possession in Art. 278 § 1 K. K. depends on the good faith of the holder. Another questionable issue is granting protection for the permissive occupant in Art. 278 § 1 K. K. There is very little attention devoted to this problem both in the case-law as well as literature. It seems that permissive occupant does not attain the control over property, because his actual relationship to it is not an expression of the will of detentor, and therefore he cannot be a victim of theft.

The Physical and Emotional Toll of Identity Theft Victimization: A Situational and Demographic Analysis of the National Crime Victimization Survey

ABSTRACT The present study investigates the physical and emotional consequences of suffering an identity-related criminal victimization. In addition to reporting the extent and nature of these consequences, the present research also examines the potential determinants of the physical harms victims suffer following identity theft. Data from an analytic sample of 2,299 victims of identity theft from the U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey are analyzed, and results suggest that identity theft victimization produces consequences beyond the financial. Physical ailments and new medical conditions are often reported as a result of the crime. Further, several features of the incident were significantly related to whether victims experienced these harms, as were personal characteristics of the victim. These findings suggest that responses to identity-related victimizations – beyond financial remedies – should be considered by victims, practitioners, and policymakers.

Responding to identity theft: A victimization perspective

This study examines victims' responses to identity theft and antecedents to their responses. Drawing upon the victimization and coping literature, we recognize an emotional response called perceived distress and a portfolio of four behavioral responses including refraining from online transactions, refraining from information disclosure, emotional adjustment, and self-protection such as subscription to identity theft protection services. We conduct an empirical test on the antecedents to the responses. Based on a survey of 197 self-reported identity theft victims, we find that perceived victimization severity, which is determined by the magnitude of financial loss, the extent of misuse of personal information, and the amount of time spent resolving the issue, has a positive impact on perceived distress, and perceived distress has a positive impact on the behavioral responses. In addition, time elapsed since the incident negatively influences perceived distress, and past use of online services negatively influences the behavioral responses. This study highlights the central role of perceived distress in mediating the impact of perceived victimization severity on behavioral responses, calling for more attention to emotional responses of victims.

Water theft in rural contexts

Water theft is a phenomenon that is set to grow in the light of climate change, chronic drought, freshwater scarcity, and conflicts over natural resources. Drawing upon recent developments pertaining to poor regulation and the stealing of water from the Murray-Darling river system in Australia, this paper explores the cultural and political economic dimensions of water theft in the context of rurality and criminality. Framed within the overarching perspective of green criminology, the article examines water theft through the lens of rural folk crime as well as failures of regulation and environmental law enforcement. It raises issues relating to the social construction of victims of water theft, human (such as Indigenous people) and non-human (such as ecosystems). This article argues that the geographical location of water theft is integral to the dynamics of the harms committed, and the response of both governments and residents to the crime.

Relationships between traditional and cyber harassment and self-identity confusion among Taiwanese gay and bisexual men in emerging adulthood

BackgroundHarassment victimization is prevalent among gay and bisexual men and may negatively impact the victims' mental health. AimsTo examine the relationships between traditional and cyber harassment and self-identity confusion among Taiwanese gay and bisexual men in emerging adulthood. ProceduresA total of 305 gay or bisexual men (age, 20–25 years) in Taiwan were recruited. Participants' self-identity confusion and the experiences of traditional and cyber harassment were assessed. The relationships of experiences of harassment victimization, number of places at which traditional harassment occurred, and type of harassment victimization with self-identity confusion were examined using multiple regression analysis. ResultsBoth victims of verbal ridicule and relational exclusion and victims of physical aggression and theft of belongings had higher levels of disturbed identity and lack of identity than did non-victims. Those who experienced traditional harassment at multiple places had higher levels of unconsolidated identity and lack of identity than did those who experienced traditional harassment at only one place. Those who experienced multiple types of harassment had higher levels of unconsolidated identity than those who experienced only one type of harassment. DiscussionsVictimization of traditional harassment and multisite and multitype harassments were significantly related to self-identity confusion in gay and bisexual men.

Application of Machine Learning Classification Algorithm to Cybersecurity Awareness

Cybersecurity plays a vital role in protecting the privacy and data of people. In the recent times, there have been several issues relating to cyber fraud, data breach and cyber theft. Many people in the United States have been a victim of identity theft. Thus, understanding of cybersecurity plays an important role in protecting their information and devices. As the adoption of smart devices and social networking are increasing, cybersecurity awareness needs to be spread. The research aims at building a classification machine learning algorithm to determine the awareness of cybersecurity by the common masses in the United States. We were able to attain a good F-measure score when evaluating the performance of the classification model built for this study.

Interaction Between Civil Law and Criminal Law in the Protection of the Rights of Theft and Fraud Victims

One of the trends in contemporary law is the interaction between its branches because an offense infringes upon a number of rights and interests of the victim that cannot be reduced to a single sphere of legally regulated relationships. This trend is reflected, specifically, in the interaction between civil and criminal law, which has attracted the attention of well-known Russian legal scholars many times. The trend is also observed in court practice, for example, in the Decree of the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation «On Court Practice Re. Cases of Fraud, Misappropriation and Embezzlement» of November 30, 2017, No 48. It is also manifested in the use of civil law categories and criteria for the general and specific components of crimes like theft (Art. 158 of CC of the RF) and fraud (Art. 159-159.6 of the CC of the RF), as well as in the use of vindication and compensation of losses to protect the rights of victims of such crimes. Civil law defense of the rights of victims of theft and fraud (the use of such methods of protection as vindication and compensation of losses) encounters the ambiguous position of courts because the doctrine incorporates disputable and unsettled issues regarding the methods of protecting rights. This paper analyzes such problems and presents some ways of solving them. Overcoming the theoretical and practical problems of interaction between civil and criminal law is of vital importance because it is a vital precondition for the efficient functioning of the law enforcement system as a whole when implementing various forms and methods of protecting the rights of people.

Parents as victims of property crime committed by their adult children with drug problems

Parents who are subjected to crime by adult children with drug problems have been neglected in victimological research. We have examined how common it is for parents to fall victim to theft and burglary committed by their children and how the risk varies depending on the parents’ and children’s circumstances. A self-report questionnaire on victimisation was distributed to parents of adult children with drug problems ( n = 687). The data were collected by means of a postal survey sent to members of the Swedish organisation Parents Against Drugs (Föräldraföreningen mot narkotika) ( n=411) and through an online questionnaire that was disseminated on social media and among treatment facilities and other support associations for family members ( n=276). Half (50.7%) of the parents declared that they had at one point or another been victims of theft or burglary committed by their children. The level was higher among older parents, among those whose children had more severe drug problems and among parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Of the respondents, 9.9% had been exposed to property crime during the past year. The level was higher among parents of children who were currently taking drugs, among parents of younger children and among parents whose children were living at home. Parents of adult children with drug problems run a high risk of being subjected to property crime by their children. The risk appears to be mostly related to the children’s drug problems and certain other circumstances pertaining to the children. Further research is needed on the extent and nature of this type of crime and about risk prevention for the parents.

Continuance in online participation following the compromise of older adults’ identity information: a literature review

ABSTRACTThis paper presents findings from a literature review on older adults continued use of the Internet following an identity theft incident. Globally, identity theft is increasing, statistics show that the number of older adults falling victim to identity theft is growing. Victims of identity theft suffer emotional, physical, psychological, and social problems; many change their behaviour as a result. The aim of the review was to examine literature to determine what is known regarding how older adults use the Internet and/or modify their online behaviour following an identity theft event. It was found that knowledge is lacking regarding the impact that identity theft events have on older adults’ continuation of Internet use. Little research has been undertaken to understand the factors and interrelationships that contribute to the situation. The review highlights that a systems ergonomics approach should be considered as an appropriate framework to drive future research in this area.

Content Analysis of Online Documents on Identity Theft Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation Algorithm

Victims of identity theft are growing as technology progresses. The increasing number of digital transactions (i.e., credit cards, online payment, banking) have become vulnerable to the cybercrime. Victims suffer from social and economic sabotage due to identity fraud. It is vital then to dig into available documents of the countries which have the most cases of identity theft as shown in Google Trends for the past five years. Hence, this work is anchored on web mining technique and utilizes the unsupervised machine learning with the application of Latent Dirichlet Allocation Algorithms for content analysis of online information related to identity theft. The five identified underlying themes were generated using the R-programming software for data analysis, and literature support for the discussion.

Effects of Minor Food Theft on Social Perceptions of Culprits and Victims

Evolutionary psychologists have highlighted the importance of trust in human social relations. The impact of an incident of food theft on impressions of both “victims” and perpetrators was investigated using videos of six mixed-sex pairs of adult actors eating in a restaurant. These were viewed by 191 adults who then provided their impressions including ratings of the actors on Trustworthiness and Sneakiness scales. Seeing a single incident of theft of a small portion of another’s food was sufficient to alter impressions of the perpetrators’ trustworthiness and sneakiness, as well as hiring decisions and judgements of relationship fidelity and self-confidence. Being a victim of food theft had no effect on these but did lower ratings of the male victims’ confidence. The results demonstrate the power of a minor social transgression to alter impressions of trustworthiness and other traits.

Reappraising the Impact of Offending on Victimization: A Propensity Score Matching Approach.

Existing evidence clearly supports an empirical connection between offending and victimization. Often called the "victim-offender overlap," this relationship holds for both sexes, across the life course, and across a wide range of countries and cultural environments. In addition, the relationship is sustained regardless of the study sample and statistical methods applied in the analyses of the sample data. However, there has yet to be a study that examines this relationship for violent and property crime using quasi-experimental methods accounting for a wide range of potential confounders including individual differences and cultural contexts. This study subjects the victim-offender relationship to testing through propensity score matching for both violent and property crimes using an international dataset. The results show that previous violent and theft offending increases the odds of victimization when matching on individual and contextual factors. This finding supports previous literature and suggests that delinquent behavior may act as a "switch" that exposes one to subsequent violent and theft victimization.