IDENTITY THEFT -- How Widespread Is it?
By Suzanne Bledsoe
         
Just when you thought it was safe to use your local ATM…..Joel Walters from Wachovia introduced his colleague, Tim Brady, a SVP at Wachovia who spends his days tracking and trying to thwart a new kind of thief: one who steals your identity. According to Tim, as many as 10,000,000 incidences of identity theft and fraud are reported annually. By the year 2010, as much as half the population of both individuals and businesses will be victims of identity theft. Virtually no one is immune and no matter how careful the fraud investigators are the perpetrators always seem to be one step ahead of them.
  
That said, what can we do to protect ourselves? First and foremost, be aware. Pay attention to all the various ways that you transact business, whether it is a withdrawal at an ATM machine, a debit or credit card transaction or a response to an email or telephone request. Be vigilant and never give out personal information to someone you don't know. Question why certain information is being requested and verify the identity of the person or entity asking, as well as the purpose of the ask before you share. Don't use public computers to conduct personal business and use your shredder religiously, even for what you would normally view as junk mail. With today's use of technology in almost every aspect of our lives, savvy criminals can access and process data in ways that we could not have even imagined just a few years ago. Make sure you have virus protection software on your personal and business computers and update it regularly. Consider using spyware detection programs and never download files from someone you don't know. Don't respond to emails that appear to be from your bank or other financial services provider. Don't use an automatic log in procedure and never share your PIN with anyone. And, if you are upgrading your computer, make sure you delete any personal information on your old computer prior to disposing of it.
 
If you are a victim of identity fraud, immediately contact your bank and credit card issuers and advise them of the breach. Make sure no address changes have been processed; review all recent transactions to all financially linked accounts and cards. Report the incident to the police and keep a diary or log of all activities, responses, and instructions. Be sure to also contact the DMV, SSA or other governmental agencies if you have reason to believe that your driver's license or social security card has been compromised. Request a copy of your credit report and make sure it is updated and corrected, if necessary.
 
So, long story short, be vigilant, be smart and be aware.
     
Head Table: Les Ward, Sheila Cottringer, David Zimmerman, Joel Walters, Gail Norman, Gibb Heilman;
Invocation: Mac McCarley;
Visitors & Guests: Bill Meanor; Health & Happiness: Bryan Adams; Song: David Erdman; Keyboard: Charlie Allison

• Rich Campbell commented on the types of incentives being offered to lure executives in this week's Business Journal; Doug Booth, former president, Duke Power submitted an article to the Observer's Forum section that he had written nineteen years ago about nuclear-electric cars; Carlos Sanchez and his Jack Russell terrier, Lucy, were mentioned in Jeff Elder's column. Apparently, Lucy reads the paper and eats cherry tomatoes. Her story will be included in Jeff's Executive Pets series.
     
• FLU SHOTS will be given at the hotel on October 16th. The cost is $25 and if you bring a copy of your Medicare card, you will be covered. Shots will be administered from 11:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 2:00.

• NOMINATING COMMITTEE will meet October 3rd. If you are interested in serving on the Board or would like to offer leadership suggestions please contact David Zimmerman, Mac McCarley, or Sandy Osborne.

• EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD will be presented November 27, 2007. Guidelines for the nomination process are posted here.  Nominations are to be received by November 5th. Questions may be directed to Phil Van Hoy or Sandy Osborne.