Business Alert

Jan-22-09

Identity theft is the number one white collar crime in America today. Profits from selling personally identifiable information (PII) has surpassed the profits from selling illegal drugs in America! The workplace is the primary source of identity theft.

Many businesses are being caught off guard concerning the new identity theft and privacy laws. Some business owners are in jeopardy of losing personal assets used as business collateral due to an employee mishandling, stealing, or selling PII from the workplace such as credit cards and/or Social Security numbers and are being sued by victims (Several recent cases involve retail and office employees).

"… The workplace is the site of most identity theft, notably financial information, driver licenses, Social Security numbers, and medical information. Employers should provide identity theft safety training, develop and implement a policy, and plan to protect such information and reduce the risk they will be held liable for if/when identity theft occurs." - Mike O’Brien SHRM Legal Director

Business owners are spending thousands of dollars fighting lawsuits when a current or former employee becomes a victim of identity theft and is solicited by an attorney to go after their employer as the source of the loss and sue for damages, often as a class action.

The Federal Trade Commission has stated that enforcing the privacy laws is their primary target this year. The Business and Legal Review, American Bar Association, and others have cautioned business owners to comply with the new privacy standards established by the FTC or face serious financial penalties (fines) and lawsuits.

IDTC specializes in educating business owners and executives on safeguarding non-public information in the workplace and offers our services at no direct cost to employers. Request an executive briefing and a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist will contact you shortly to schedule the delivery of your Federal Trade Commission Information Safeguard Rules and our Workplace Identity Theft Kit all at no direct cost to you. We will take a quick 20 minutes to review the key points with you and answer any questions you may have. There is no charge for this service. At the very least you won’t be caught off guard by not being informed of your liability for workplace identity theft and the simple steps you can take to protect your business.

"Identity Theft Safety Training for your workforce is the best defense against identity theft and data breaches in the workplace… - FTC