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Why Start an Identity Theft Coalition?

Before you consider starting a multidisciplinary identity theft coalition in your area it’s important to first make sure that one doesn’t already exist by clicking here. If there is an opportunity, you’ll want to think about the benefits that an identity theft and cyber-crime coalition might bring to the community. Keep in mind that a coalition executed properly has the capacity to:

  • Identify and address the needs of people who are most affected by identity theft and cyber-crime through collaboration among people who have expertise and resources to meet these needs.
  • Organize and support professionals and trained volunteers to directly assist identity theft and cyber-crime victims.
  • Unite individuals and programs with unique and diverse perspectives to achieve a common vision and mission.
  • Clearly identify the most important strategic issues and concerns that the Coalition can collectively address.
  • Seek and create consensus on a shared mission, goals and measurable objectives.
  • Increase and promote communications among people who have a stake in identity theft and cyber-crime prevention and response.
  • Increase the effectiveness and productivity of individuals and entities that, within a Coalition, can identify and address gaps in identity theft and cyber-crime prevention, response, and victim assistance services.
  • Collectively define the problem of identity theft and cyber-crime, its impact on individuals and communities, and promote community and public awareness of the problem and necessary responses.
  • Promote victim/survivor awareness of resources to assist them, and ease the process of seeking help, guidance and supportive services.
  • Expand the foundation of subject matter expertise to address the problems of identity theft and cyber-crime.
  • Promote proactive problem solving and decision-making.
  • Foster trust among Coalition members to build strong relationships and a clearer understanding of the problems of identity theft and cyber-crime.
  • Maximize the use of limited human and financial resources.
  • Educate key community members about the specific nature and dynamics of an issue that they may only have a superficial understanding of, increasing community knowledge.
  • Raise awareness of your issue or target population so that Coalition members start addressing it at their home agencies/organizations as well.
  • Access manpower and resources that you may lack at your individual agency.
  • Identify gaps in community services by seeing who is not at the table.
  • Gain credibility and media access for your cause through your coalition activities and impact.

Is a Coalition Right For You and Your Community?

Next, you’ll want to determine if a collaborative approach will be effective for reaching the targeted population you are concerned about or for addressing the particular identity theft/cyber-crime issue you have identified. If your answer is yes to any of the questions below, then a Coalition approach may be an extremely useful tool for you to use.

  • Are you having trouble gaining attention to an issue/problem/under-served group that you think is important?
  • Are you going to need expertise from several disciplines or from both public and private entities?
  • Does your organization have limited staff and budget but your project will have high manpower needs?
  • Have you identified a problem but need community information and feedback to create a solution?
  • Are there several groups already trying to serve this population or address this problem, but they are not working together?

How to Start a Coalition

A toolkit was developed under NITVAN as a comprehensive guide to build the capacity of service providers, advocates, and allied professionals to better address the rights and needs of identity theft victims via coalition building. It is our hope that the information provided regarding how to start a coalition,

NITVAN Coalition Building Toolkit
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