Wyoming Chapter Association of Records Managers and Administrators
Chapter Meeting
January 9, 2003
Avanti Restaurante, 4620 Grandview Avenue, Cheyenne, WY

Members Present: Kristy Anderson, Vicci Carter, Ramona Christensen, Donna Crock, Wendy Kinkade, Jess Sheely, Vicki Seals, Rich Wilson, Tony Adams, Debbye Lathrop, and Deanne Widhauf

Guest Present: Debbie Leonard, Lizzie Stroebel, Alan Chmura, Arlene Delaney, Pam Nelson, Barbara Thomesee, Janice Rath, Juanita Benson, Rich Benson, Mary Kiser, Rhonda Reed

Speaker: Chris VanSickle - Chris has over 15 years experience with credit unions and is currently the Internal Audit/Compliance Manager for Vandenburg Federal Credit Union of Lompac, California.

Donna Crock opened the meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance and everyone introduced themselves. Rich Wilson introduced our speaker.

Topic: What is Identity Theft: How They Do It

Chris opened her presentation with a real life example of an identity theft and how hard it is to get your life back to normal and in order:

Mari Frank, a California mediation attorney, received a phone call in August, 1996 that changed her life. A creditor from Toys "R Us called her inquiring about her $11,000 credit card bill. Frank thought the call was a joke. Before long she found herself in an identity theft nightmare. She discovered other instances of fraud amounting to $50,000. Frank initially called her local police, who told her there was really nothing they could do. She then contacted the FBI, who said it wasn't their jurisdiction. So she called the Secret Service, who acknowledged jurisdiction. They advised her that they couldn't get involved unless at least $200,000 was at stake or there was evidence of a fraud ring. It took Frank 500 hours to get her life back.

Identity theft is the number one fastest growing crime and accounts for 25% of all credit card loses. There are basically three reasons for identity theft:

1. Criminals taking on a new identity to prevent them from being prosecuted for other more serious crimes,

2. Revenge, such as, disgruntled ex-employees going on shopping sprees at their former managers expense, an ex-spouse taking credit card numbers with them when they leave a marriage, or even a child going through mom's purse and getting credit cards as extreme act of adolescent rebellion, and

3. Criminals needing money to commit crimes.

Chris explained what identity theft is; how it is done; types of preventative action to take; internet and on line services; steps for victims to take when dealing with authorities, financial institutions, creditors and credit bureaus; and who to contact to get your credit report.

The ID Theft Act of 1998 directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and agency of the Federal Government to implement the Federal Government's Centralized Identity Theft Database, log receipt of complaints, provide consumer education and victim assistance, and to refer complaints to appropriate entities, including law enforcement and consumer reporting agencies.

To file a compliant call 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338). Phone counselors staff the hotline from 9:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. A secure online complaint form is available at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. To mail a complaint send it to Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.

To be taken off of mailing and telemarketing lists, and to limit the sale of your personal information by businesses, go to the website www.opt-out.cdt.org/moreinfo .

Submitted by,

Vicci Carter
Chapter Secretary