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National Fire Prevention Week - Are You Prepared?

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

October 4th – October 10th is National Fire Prevention Week. Please take this reminder to prepare your home and family for a fire or other natural disasters. In the last couple of months, thousands of firefighters have converged on a series of fire storms that have devastated California. In the “mega fires” of 2003, over 2,600 homes were destroyed and 750,000 acres of valuable property went up in smoke. Losses will continue to grow as more people move into semi-rural areas. Stopping these fires is not just about saving lives and property today but for tomorrow as well.

Fire storms and other natural disasters can devastate communities and lives, burning hundreds of homes at a time. They are very difficult to stop once started; and they are very costly to homeowners, local communities and state/federal agencies. Although we would like to believe “a disaster will never happen to me,” it could!  And people continue to report, “I wasn’t prepared.”

According to Joe Kerr, President Orange County Firefighters, “The time to protect your home and valuables is before a fire starts, once the fire has started – it’s time to evacuate and save your life. In the event of a fire, our jobs are to protect/preserve life then property.”

Continue reading: National Fire Prevention Week – Are You Prepared?

October 7th, 2009 | Tags: , , | Category: Education, Press Release | Leave a comment

ID Theft Red Flags Rule

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

The Red Flags Rule will be enforced beginning November 1, 2009. The “Red Flags” Rule, in effect since January 1, 2008, requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs – or “red flags” – of identity theft in their day-to-day operations.

By identifying red flags in advance, they will be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns when they arise and take steps to prevent a red flag from escalating into a costly episode of identity theft.

The Red Flags Rule applies to “financial institutions” and “creditors.” The Rule requires you to conduct a periodic risk assessment to determine if you have “covered accounts.” You need to implement a written program only if you have covered accounts.

The Rule also defines a “creditor” as one who regularly grants loans, arranges for loans or the extension of credit, or makes credit decisions. Examples include finance companies, mortgage brokers, real estate agents, automobile dealers, and retailers that offer financing or help consumers get financing from others, say, by processing credit applications.

How to comply in four-easy steps:

  • Identify relevant red flags -  Identify the red flags of identitytheft you’re likely to come across in your business.
  • Detect red flags – Set up procedures to detect those red flags in your day-to-day operations.
  • Prevent and mitigate identity theft – If you spot the red flags you’ve identified, respond appropriately to prevent and mitigate the harm done.
  • Update your Program – The risks of identity theft change rapidly, so it’s important to keep your Program current and educate your staff.

Continue reading: ID Theft Red Flags Rule

October 7th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Education, Press Release | Leave a comment