Identity theft and credit card fraud represent multifaceted problems with far-reaching consequences, including Web-based crime targeting the travel industry. Fraudulent booking of hotel rooms through the Internet has become a major issue. To commit this crime, suspects obtain someone's credit card number--by stealing a person's identity or charge receipts--and book multiple rooms online at one or several locations. Then, they either use the reservations or sell them to associates. In addition to the loss of revenue experienced by credit card companies, individuals, travel firms, and hotels, communities suffer when offenders perpetrate additional offenses in their lodging areas. Evidence found at numerous crime sites suggests that fraudulent booking may fuel local street crime and narcotics traffic.
In dealing with booking fraud in its jurisdiction, the Anaheim, California, Police Department undertook a problem-oriented policing (POP) (1) project that has proven successful. This effort can serve as an example for agencies operating in cities impacted by issues affecting the lodging industry. The department found that resolving Internet-booking fraud required a collaborative effort between police and private industry. It used the SARA (scanning, analysis, response, and assessment) (2) model to tackle this problem and the related crime and public safety issues affecting the city.
THE PROJECT SITE
A suburb of Los Angeles, the city of Anaheim has approximately 350,000 residents and is known as a major tourist destination. It also is home to a popular theme park, professional baseball and hockey teams, and one of the largest convention centers in the United States. Together, these attractions swell the city's population daily--Anaheim's residents seem to disappear compared with the 10.2 million overnight visitors per year staying at one of the 153 hotel properties. (3)
Another one-third of the lodging facilities appeal to clientele seeking luxurious amenities, and most are located in the hotel district, locally referred to as the resort area. Accommodations vary widely in size and price; the cost of rooms also differs between the low off-season and the peak summer and holiday periods. Approximately half of the properties cater to the family/budget or midrange market, and most are affiliated with large hotel chains.
The Anaheim Police Department strives to maintain public order in this highly transient city. All agency employees remain committed to POP as a means of resolving community crime and public safety issues. The Anaheim hotel corridor is located in the south district where police personnel work out of a satellite station.
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