Did you Know????

     Identity Theft is the TOP CONSUMER COMPLAINT Reported to the Federal Trade Commission? And what's worse, it has held that number one position for the last several years. Identity Theft ISN'T JUST RELATED TO CREDIT CARDS? Actually, identity theives also use the identitys they've stolen to secure loans, bank accounts, drivers licenses (to commist crimes on others names if caught), obtain medical records (to have medical procedures done othe others names), gain employement (social security fraud), set up telephone services, and much more.   With identity theft occurences continuing to grow do you have a plan to safeguard your Identity?  If you found out tomorrow that you had been a victim, would you know who to turn to for help?  Do you know how identity theft and the new privacy laws can impact your business if you lose non-public information? (info on loan applications, info on sales contracts etc.)  Are you aware that large fines can be levied in the hundreds of thousands of dollars against a business owner, if an identity theft occurs from info that business or business person was asked to safeguard.

   The fact is, many of us don't.  The FTC aslo reports that victims of identity theft spend countless hours and more than $ 1200.00 in out of pocket expenses, to try to correct problems caused by identity theives. Most Americans are very busy and many households are living paycheck to paycheck.  That kind of time and money would have a significant impact on the household.

There is good news for Those members  on ACTIVE RAIN.  I am a recent new member of ACTIVE RAIN and hold the title CITRMS. It stands for Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist, awarded by the Institute of Fraud Risk Management.  I  completed five areas of study and testing. 

Understanding Identity Theft

Credit Reports, Specialty Reports and Public Records

Consumer Protection law Summaries

Identity Theft Risk Management and Resolution

Identity Theft Risk and Issues for Businesses

     I am also a graduate of the two day Affirmative Defense Response System (ADRS) training. It is a program being instituted by businesses all over america to help businesses do many of the items the FTC is asking of them in the area of Identity Theft Protection  For Customers, Clients and Employees.  I was one of the first on the West Coast to recieve this special certification.  It qualifies me to counsel individuals about identity theft.  I also have knowledge of consumer laws that have been developed to help consumers if they happen to become victims as well as the information they need to begin restoring their identity if it is compromised.  I am also a proud Director and  independent associate of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. 

     As an identity theft specialist I would like the opportunity to speak to members of Active Rain or Members of it members companies regarding identity theft.  The presentation will be for informational purposes and no sales presentation will be made.  If you like what you see and want more information on how to protect yourself or your business, I will then be glad to get back to viewers of the presentation individually.  I will be putting it together via webinars.  If you would like to be on the guest list when those webinars start, Please email me your contact information and I will be happy to send you an invitation.   In this Webinar you will learn about 5 types of identity theft not just about Credit Card I.D. theft.  You will learn about the new laws governing the proper safeguarding of non-public information, and many other areas of Identity Theft.  If you would like to schedule an individual viewing I will make myself available for that as well.

 Thomas Hargreaves is an Identity Theft Expert and has attained the CITRMS Designation (Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist TM) as issued by the Institute of Fraud Risk Management, and markets the ADRS  (Affirmative Defense Response System) program to Business owners concerned with identity theft as it pertains to the workplace.   For more info contact Tom at     541-844-1830   or

Visit     www.prepaidlegal.com/idt/thargreaves        thargreaves@prepaidlegal.com