The purpose of a modify message is to add data to, delete data from, or change data which is a part of a record. The modify identity theft message must be made only by the agency that originally entered the record. To modify a record it must be identified by name and NCIC number or by NCIC number and case number (OCA). Name must be exactly the same as it appears on the original entry, including spelling. These data items are used to identify the record to be modified, and as such they cannot be modified themselves.
Modifying changes the content of a record by substituting other data or adding new data to an established record. Deleting a record takes the item out of the record without substituting new data. . To delete data from an existing record, use the pound sign (#) in the field you wish to delete.
While both supplement and modify transactions may be used to add information to an already established identity theft record; the supplement transaction is used to add information to a field that already has information in it. The modify transaction may be used to add information to a record when a field was left empty on the original entry transaction.