Businesses need to

watch out for ID theft

JULY 2008 - A rise in Identity Theft is presenting employers with a major headache. They are being held liable for identity theft that occurs in the workplace. Most businesses are unaware of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (F.A.C.T.A.) Red Flag Rules which recently became effective in January 2008 and compliance is required by November 2008.

As a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (C.I.T.R.M.S), it’s our goal to educate all business owners and employees. With the workplace being the site of more than half of all identity theft more education on appropriate handling and protection of information is necessary among other efforts.

There are five areas of identity theft that businesses should be concerned about. Identity theft is not just about your credit card.

Why businesses, corporations, schools, financial institutions, hospitals and government agencies should be concerned about identity theft?

The answer is liability both civil and criminal. These rules provide that covered accounts also insure their service providers and sub-contractors comply and have reasonable policies and procedures in place.

Affirmative Defense Response System

Pre-paid Legal Services and ID Theft Shield can start the compliance process for your company by providing templates for the appointment of the security officer and the written identity theft security plan.

To assist your company with compliance issues the company will conduct a training required by law for your employees. They will also explain the different types of identity theft and show your employees how they can protect themselves if they become a victim and why their customers personal information need to be protected.

We do all of this at no direct cost to your company. For more information, call Stanley McVay at 546-0291 or e-mail smcvay3@aol.com.