Government operations and workforce

Executive Order 13402: Strengthening Federal Efforts to Protect Against Identity Theft

President: George W. Bush

Created a federal identity-theft task force to coordinate prevention, investigation and support for victims.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13402 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13402 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13402 do?

The Justice Department announced the task force's comprehensive strategic plan with 31 recommendations in April 2007.

Administration position: The task force recommendations were not themselves criminal statutes or proof that identity-theft rates fell.
SignedMay 10, 2006
Original directionCreated a federal identity-theft task force to coordinate prevention, investigation and support for victims.
Later evidenceThe Justice Department announced the task force's comprehensive strategic plan with 31 recommendations in April 2007.
Review dateSeptember 26, 2026

Before and after

Before the order

Identity theft involved consumer data, law enforcement and victim recovery across multiple federal agencies.

After the order

The Justice Department announced the task force's comprehensive strategic plan with 31 recommendations in April 2007.

The task force recommendations were not themselves criminal statutes or proof that identity-theft rates fell.

Who had to do what

Source: Signed Federal Register text.
Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Identity Theft Task ForceReview federal efforts; produce a coordinated strategy for awareness, prevention, detection, and prosecution; coordinate implementation and state/local cooperation, avoiding duplication; seek individual outside advice and recommend administrative/legislative actions.Written strategic plan to the President within 180 days after May 10, 2006; other presidential reports from time to time.
Attorney GeneralChair the Task Force with FTC; convene meetings, set its agenda, direct work, and establish subgroups. Determine DOJ support; may add officials with agency concurrence or terminate the Task Force by Federal Register notice.No fixed deadline stated.
FTC ChairmanCo-chair the Task Force with the Attorney General; convene meetings, set the agenda, direct work, and establish subgroups or additional subgroup participants with agency concurrence.No fixed deadline stated.
Department of JusticeProvide lawful funding and administrative support determined by the Attorney General.No fixed deadline stated.
Executive departments, agencies, and instrumentalitiesProvide information, support, and assistance requested through the Task Force’s chair and co-chair.On request; no fixed deadline.
Later actionThe Justice Department announced the task force's comprehensive strategic plan with 31 recommendations in April 2007.April 23, 2007

What happened next

EO 13402 signed.

The Justice Department announced the task force's comprehensive strategic plan with 31 recommendations in April 2007.