ID Theft in 2008 – 1 in 5 Americans victimized in 2008. 1 in 2 by 2011 (FTC).

• Averages:$92,000 of fraudulent charges, 87 bad checks, 8 credit lines, 600 hrs to fix credit, 3-4 times more likely to be victimized again (Garner/FBI).
• Percentages: 69% increase in identity theft for 2008, 163 % increase in employee (insider) theft of customer/employee records, 78% of Americans are concerned about identity theft (ITRC).
• Types of ID theft: Financial – new bank accounts, credit cards, car loans  that are not repaid in your name, Social Security – owe taxes and garnished wages, Medical – owe medical bills and contaminated records, Criminal – outstanding warrant(s), Driver’s license – outstanding warrants w/ suspended or revoked license and possible criminal charges.

Do your employees know how to treat Non-Public Information, i.e.. customer/employee data?

“Elected officials who publish private information contained in public records cannot rely on official immunity as a defense according to a recent Ohio appeals court ruling.”

“This is an enormously important development in the law which needs to be clarified. It’s important because in today’s world, a great deal of mischief can be done if private information…. gets into the hands of the wrong people”, said Marc Mezibov, attorney for Cynthia Lambert.

News for Public Officials – “Immunity No Defense for Official Website Content”