| For Immediate Release September 19, 2006 |
Contact: | Farrah Emami Spokesperson (714) 347-8405 Office (714) 323-4486 Cell |
OCDA BRINGS COPS AND SHOPS TOGETHER TO STOP IDENTITY THEFT RINGS
SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s office (OCDA) will host a loss prevention symposium for major retailers and law enforcement to address the issue of identity theft and fraud. The symposium will be held tomorrow, September 20, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the OCDA Law Library at 401 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana.
The purpose of the symposium is to begin a process of cooperation between major retailers and law enforcement agencies to better address increases in the number of identity theft and fraud crimes. As multiple crimes are often committed by the same person in different locations, it is important for retailer and law enforcement to share information that will assist in more effectively identifying and apprehending repeat offenders. Communicating about identity theft suspects and incidents with other retailers will help to prevent additional losses and assist law enforcement as they identify organized fraud groups. Symposium topics will include the methods and means of fraud used by criminals, ways to counter these methods, and coordinating between retailers and law enforcement to protect retailers and consumers from counterfeiting schemes.
“By bringing shops and cops together, we are taking a step toward stopping identity theft rings,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “We need to stay ahead of these organized crime groups that are ripping off the public through identity theft and counterfeit rings using checks and access cards. Currently, inadequate communication between retailers and with law enforcement is resulting in billions of dollars in losses annually across the country.”
Retailers committed to participating include; Brighton, Buffalo Exchange, CarMax, Costco, Gap, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Macy’s, Mervyn’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Northrop Grumman, Ralphs, Safeway, Target, Vons, and Wal-Mart. Police departments from throughout Orange County will also be in attendance.
###