The plan focuses on ways to improve the effectiveness of criminal prosecutions of identity theft; enhance data protection for sensitive consumer information maintained by the public sector, private sector, and consumers; provide more comprehensive and effective guidance for consumers and the business community; and improve recovery and assistance for consumers.

In addition to the release of the plan, a Web site was launched, www.idtheft.gov, which contains the full strategic plan and will eventually serve as clearinghouse for educational resources for consumers, businesses, and law enforcement on ways to prevent and detect identity theft, and help victims recover.

The specific recommendations outlined in the strategic plan -- from broad policy changes to small steps -- include the following:

• Reduce the unnecessary use of Social Security numbers by federal agencies, the most valuable commodity for an identity thief;
• Establish national standards that require private sector entities to safeguard the personal data they compile and maintain and to provide notice to consumers when a breach occurs that poses a significant risk of identity theft;
• Implement a broad, sustained awareness campaign by federal agencies to educate consumers, the private sector and the public sector on methods to deter, detect and defend against identity theft; and
• Create a National Identity Theft Law Enforcement Center to allow law enforcement agencies to coordinate their efforts and information more efficiently, and investigate and prosecute identity thieves more effectively.

The recommendations also include several legislative proposals designed to fill the gaps in current laws criminalizing the acts of many identity thieves, and ensure that victims can recover the value of the time lost attempting to repair damage inflicted by identity theft.

The task force is co-chaired by the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt. It was established by executive order of the president in May 2006 and is now comprised of 17 federal agencies and departments. The task force will continue its work over the coming months and play a central role in the implementation of the strategic plan.