Text Box: 2008 Chamber Officers, Directors:   Chairman  Steve Padgett   Chair-Elect  Mark Hudson   Secretary Larry Fox   Treasurer Shannon Kennedy   Past Chairman Roger Holland   Board of Directors Ted Alexander Suzanne Amos Janet Berry Martha Bivins Dr. Bruce Boyles Larry Corry Darlene Davis Charlie Holtzclaw Dr. Linda Hopper Kitty Hoyle Allen Langley David Schweppe Seth Stevens Sandy Tallant Dr. Steve Thornburg Rick Washburn John Young

Text Box: InterAction Text Box:   Are you concerned about identity theft?  If not, you should be.  Virtually all industries are facing the risks of identity theft, which has become a problem of enormous proportions in the United States.   The Federal Trade Commission has stated: 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.   According to FTC studies, nearly 10 million people fall victim to identity theft annually, costing consumers $5 billion in out-of-pocket losses and businesses $48 billion.  The problems range from loss of credit to problems with medical history records and even potential wrongful exposure to criminal prosecution.  Identity theft victims cumulatively spent almost 300 million hours correcting their records and “reclaiming their good names.”   Companies can take steps to address identity theft.  First, they can develop and implement an appropriate security policy.  FTC guidelines and the Better Business Bureau guide are excellent places to start.  These security programs do not have to be perfect—the standard is one of reasonableness.   Second, educate your workforce.  Train employees to engage in concrete activities that can reduce the risks of security breaches and identity theft.  Remember, a “reasonable” security program on paper isn’t really “reasonable” if employees don’t know about it and don’t follow it.   Finally, be prepared.  It is important for companies to have an effective mitigation plan in the event of a security breach.  This plan should involve not only how to correct a particular situation but also an assessment of how to revise existing policies to prevent recurrences.   Now are you concerned about identity theft?  If not, you really should be!

Text Box: June 2008

Text Box: Quick Links Text Box: Letter From the Chairman

Text Box: In This Issue:

Chamber Homepage

Chamber Calendar

Community Calendar

Business Directory

Member Services

 

Cleveland Women's Network Kickoff A Success
Letter from the Chairman
Business After Hours

Tourism News

Upcoming State of the Community Breakfasts'

Industrial Safety Awards Banquet

Golf Tournament

Save the Date -
2008 Fall Planning Conference

Chamber Prize Patrol

Event Pictures

Renewals /
 New Members
Referral Summary
Thank You Corner

Upcoming Events