Organized retail crime amounts to between $15 billion and $30 billion annually, according to the FBI. Crime rings typically target consumer products that are in high demand and easy to steal including consumer electronics.

Organized retail theft, costing retailers and consumers $30 billion a year, will be the subject of a congressional hearing in Washington this week.

The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security is scheduled to address “Organized Retail Theft Prevention: Fostering a Comprehensive Public-Private Response” at 10 a.m. Thursday in Room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing comes as Congress is preparing for introduction of new federal legislation to crack down on organized retail crime.

Organized retail crime amounts to between $15 billion and $30 billion annually, according to the FBI. Crime rings typically target consumer products that are in high demand and easy to steal including consumer electronics. Once stolen, the goods are resold at pawn shops, flea markets, swap meets and Internet auction sites. The National Retail Federation says Organized retail crime ultimately drives up prices for consumers.