Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: 2021 Identity Theft Supplement (ITS)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Justice wants to ask people about how someone might have pretended to be them, like stealing their identity, and how it made them feel. This helps them understand the problem better and make plans to stop it.
Summary AI
The Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically the Bureau of Justice Statistics, is preparing to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget. This request relates to the renewal, with changes, of the Identity Theft Supplement, previously approved but now expired. This survey will be conducted as a part of the National Crime Victimization Survey to gather data on identity theft incidents among people over the age of 16 across the U.S. The survey aims to collect information about how identity theft occurs, its impact on victims, and how victims respond to incidents, with an estimated total public burden of 15,185 hours.
Abstract
The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register outlines a proposed information collection by the Department of Justice, specifically through the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This effort involves the 2021 Identity Theft Supplement (ITS), which is set to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. As part of the National Crime Victimization Survey, this supplement seeks to collect data on identity theft from individuals aged 16 and older across the United States. It aims to understand the prevalence of identity theft, its impact on victims, and how affected individuals respond.
Key Summary
The main purpose of the document is to inform the public about the plans to collect data concerning identity theft incidents and solicit feedback about the initiative. People are invited to comment on various aspects, such as the necessity of the information collection, the accuracy of the burden estimates, and potential ways to minimize the response burden. This feedback can be sent until April 5, 2021.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue is the omission of the financial costs associated with conducting the Identity Theft Supplement. Including such information would provide clearer insight into whether the initiative is a sound use of taxpayer money or if there might be any wasteful spending involved.
Additionally, the document heavily relies on technical jargon that may not be easily understood by individuals without a background in survey methodologies or government processes. Terms such as "burden hours" and "Office of Management and Budget" might need more explanation to ensure comprehensive public understanding.
Impact on the Public
The broader public impact of this initiative could be significant, as it strives to measure and understand a problem that potentially affects millions of Americans. Effective data collection on identity theft can lead to better-informed policies and initiatives to protect citizens' personal information and minimize the impact of identity theft.
Impact on Stakeholders
Specific stakeholders, such as government agencies, researchers, and policymakers, may find the data collected from the ITS valuable in crafting legislation or regulations aimed at reducing identity theft. Conversely, if managed poorly, the burdensome requirements placed on respondents could discourage participation or result in a less diverse data set, which might skew findings and the effectiveness of any subsequent measures.
Conclusion
The 2021 Identity Theft Supplement represents an important step in understanding and combatting identity theft in the U.S. While the initiative has several positive potential outcomes, stakeholders and the public should be aware of its financial implications, clarity of communication, and possible respondent burdens to optimize its utility and effectiveness. Engaging with the process by submitting public comments as outlined in the document is encouraged to refine and enhance this valuable data collection effort.
Issues
• The document does not specify the cost associated with conducting the Identity Theft Supplement (ITS), which could help assess if any spending might be wasteful.
• There is no mention of specific organizations or individuals who might unduly benefit from the ITS, which could indicate spending that favors particular parties.
• The document uses technical terms like 'identity theft supplement', 'burden hours', and 'Office of Management and Budget'. These might be unclear to a general audience without additional context.
• The explanation of the methodology for estimating respondent burden could be clearer, as it briefly mentions 'mock interviews' and 'questionnaire changes' without detailed explanation.
• The document could simplify the language around the collection and use of data to make it more accessible to non-experts, such as the general public who might wish to comment.