Red Flags Rule and Hospitals

U.S. erecting barriers to ID theft

By Antonio Olivo |Tribune reporter

March 15, 2009

This spring, health-care providers will be required to install new safeguards against identity theft that federal regulators say can help control rising health costs and protect against potentially fatal information that has corrupted thousands of medical records.

"Say someone uses my health insurance to obtain care; I'm diabetic; they're not. Suddenly my records are corrupted because they've received treatment that would be inconsistent with the treatment that I'd expect in my medical condition," said Betsy Broder, an assistant director at the Federal Trade Commission, which will oversee the new "red flags rule" that also applies to banks and other creditors.

The measures could include using staff to screen new patients and track down victims to ensure their records are accurate, Broder said. A hospital's strategy should depend on its risk for identity theft, she said. (Full text at www.chicagotribune.com)

To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".

Remember, estimates are that every 2-4 seconds an Identity is compromised. Why take chances? Why not protect yourself and your loved ones with the best suite of services provided (including restoration) by the best NYSE company in the field? Educate yourself and visit the shameless plug below or call me at (909) 208-3728!

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Merced County Sheriff Victim of Id Theft

Sheriff is victim of ID theft
Signature taken off Merced jail check

By Jim Steinberg
The Fresno Bee

MERCED -- A Merced County sheriff's investigation into identity theft hit home this week when a detective discovered one of the victims was Sheriff Mark N. Pazin.

Christina Valenti, 34, of Merced was arrested Thursday, less than a week after a March 5 arrest in connection with a fake check passed at the Merced Community College book store.

A search at Valenti's home yielded identification cards that had been reported lost or stolen, check stock paper and printing supplies, detectives said.

..One image in her computer, MacKenzie said, was Pazin's signature.

Valenti had lifted the sheriff's signature from a check she scanned from the Merced County Prisoner Trust Account, the Sheriff's Department said. The Merced County Jail issues checks to inmates when they are released...(Full story at www.modbee.com)

Actually, the Sheriff is not yet a victim of id theft as his signature was not used. However, had Valenti not been caught the County and he could have suffered - BIG TIME.

Now the only question remaining is - Did Valenti sell or give the signature to anyone else? Time will tell.

To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".

Remember, estimates are that every 2-4 seconds an Identity is compromised. Why take chances? Why not protect yourself and your loved ones with the best suite of services provided (including restoration) by the best NYSE company in the field? Educate yourself and visit the shameless plug below or call me at (909) 208-3728!

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