Financial Crime World

Title: Identity Theft and Financial Crimes: A Threat to American Samoa - Urgent Call for Risk Assessment from GAO

Date: July 12, 2010

American Samoa, a Pacific Island paradise and a US insular area, operates its own customs and immigration programs, leading to potential threats and vulnerabilities that could impact American Samoa as well as the United States. A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, GAO-10-638, highlights the immediate need for a risk assessment to better understand these risks.

Concerns and Challenges in American Samoa’s Customs and Immigration Operations

  • Potential for Corruption: Questions about acceptance of bribes by customs officials and lost revenue due to improper inspections.
  • Certificates of Identity (CI): Vulnerabilities in the issuance process and risk of identity theft.

Immigration Concerns: A Comprehensive Risk Assessment is Missing

  • Alien exploitation:
  • Human trafficking:
  • False documentation: No comprehensive risk assessments have been conducted, leaving the potential risks associated with CI issuance unaddressed.

GAO’s Recommendation: Immediate Risk Assessment by DHS, State, and Interior Departments

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with the Departments of State and the Interior, is urged to conduct an immediate risk assessment to:

  • Determine potential risks and consequences surrounding identity theft and financial crimes in American Samoa.
  • Make informed decisions regarding acceptable documentation for individuals traveling from American Samoa to the US.

GAO’s Report Overview: American Samoa’s Unique Immigration Situation

The GAO report also covers topics related to American Samoa’s immigration program, providing detailed information on classes of aliens and their primary characteristics. This information, along with relevant tables and figures, highlights the importance of addressing the risks and taking immediate action.

For more information on the GAO report, visit the GAO website. To discuss the findings and recommendations, contact Stephen L. Caldwell at (202) 512-8777 or CaldwellS@gao.gov.