FTC Helping

When it comes to “Fighting Back Against Identity Theft,” the Federal Trade Commission is doing a great job. It is a tough job to convince the American public to conform to anything new, even if it is in the public’s best interests. However, the damage being done annually is in the billions of dollars to US businesses.

The following is the first paragraph taken from the Federal Trade Commission’s webpage titled, “Facts for Business - Information Compromise and the Risk of Identity Theft: Guidance for Your Business.”

"These days, it is almost impossible to be in business and not collect or hold personally identifying information — names and addresses, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or other account numbers — about your customers, employees, business partners, students, or patients. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it could put these individuals at risk for identity theft."

The entire article included subtitles such as Notifying Law Enforcement, Notifying Affected Businesses, and Notifying Individuals. You can read the entire article on the FTC's website.

The “Red Flags” Rule: Are You Complying with New Requirements for Fighting Identity Theft? - www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/art10.shtm.

The “Red Flags” Rule: What Health Care Providers Need to Know About Complying with New Requirements for Fighting Identity Theft. - www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/art11.shtm.

Letter from FTC to AMA on Health Care Providers dated February 2009. - www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/redflags.pdf