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Green’s Security Newsletter September/October

Spotlight on Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a crime that is spreading globally and any individual that uses a credit card, has information stored via paper records, or that uses a computer, is a target. The Military isn’t even safe as soldiers fighting the war on terrorism were targeted on the home-front as loved ones were told that their husbands or wives were killed in battle and they needed to verify personal information to process insurance claims. This problem is so pervasive that individuals and companies can have their records targeted and stolen and then have this information used worldwide against them. How big a problem is identity theft? Well, the Federal Trade Commission put the number at an astonishing 27.3 million Americans over a five-year period that were victims of Identify theft. As a result of all these crimes, the FTC has a program to help Identity Theft victims. The phone # is 1-877-IDTHEFT or visit their website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Even with identity theft so common, it seems amazing that many companies still fail to secure employee records. Many of these companies spend thousands of dollars on the latest software to secure computer information but hardly a dime to secure personnel or sensitive records. These companies are playing Russian Roulette with personal information. This is where many identity thefts occur. What can you do about it? Here are some tips. (1)

Businesses should secure all financial and personnel information in a locked security cabinet that has some type of audit trail This will protect companies from all FERPA, Privacy, and HIPAA laws. The audit trail can provide a date, time and place when records are accessed and this can inoculate companies against possible records compromise and comply with all current regulations and laws.
Individuals should shred all financial statements with name, address, and account information. In addition, shred the convenience checks your credit card company keeps sending. Shred old utility bills and canceled checks.
Do not keep your Social Security card in your wallet, keep it with your other key personal info items like your passport, birth certificate, etc.
Do not respond to e-mails asking you to verify account or personal information. Call the business to confirm it needs this information.
Keep track of bills, if you don’t receive something, contact the sender to make sure when it was sent and ask how the sender will prevent identity theft if the missing mail was intercepted. Green’s Security Newsletter September/October
Review your credit card statements closely to be certain all the purchases are yours. Contact the bank right away
If you have lots of credit card accounts and department store accounts, consider closing several so there are fewer credit cards to monitor.
Check your credit reports once per year at least.

Are companies, schools, and hospitals responsible or liable for protecting individuals and personal and health records from Identity Theft or from illegal disclosure?
The short answer is yes. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for enforcing
The Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996 or (HIPAA) which is a series of laws and standards designed to protect security and privacy standards for personnel health information. It doesn’t matter if the individual’s personal information is on computer or on hard copy, the personal information must be safeguarded.
Another Federal law that protects personal information is The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or (FERPA) . FERPA is a Federal Law that protects the privacy of student education records. This law applies to all schools that receive funds under the U.S. Department of education and failure to comply with FERPA can lead to possible forfeiture of funds for schools and/or School Districts.
Privacy laws also come into play with regard to the safeguarding and storage of personal information. Under HIPAA laws, Hospitals and Companies are subject to civil and Federal criminal penalties. Civil penalties are $100.00 per violation and up to $25,000.00 per person per year for each requirement or prohibition violated. Federal criminal penalties are up to $50,000.00 in fines and one year in prison for disclosing protected health information, up to $100,000.00 in fines and five years in prison for obtaining protected health information under false pretenses and up to $250,000.00 in fines and up to 10 years in prison for obtaining or disclosing protected health information with the intent to sell, transfer or use it for commercial advantage, personal gain, or malicious harm. For schools, failure to comply with FERPA can also be disastrous as possible funding could be cut off.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “I will work hard and do my best, and someday my chance will come” Abraham Lincoln

For more information visit Green’s Security Centers on the web at www.greenssecurity.com or phone us at 626-967-6478, 714-535-2869