FTC Will Grant Three-Month Delay of Enforcement of ‘Red Flags’

FTC Will Grant Three-Month Delay of Enforcement of ‘Red Flags’ Rule Requiring Creditors and Financial Institutions to Adopt Identity Theft Prevention Programs

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/redflagsrule.shtm

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA).... Some examples of creditors are finance companies; automobile dealers that provide or arrange financing; mortgage brokers; utility companies; telecommunications companies; non-profit and government entities that defer payment for goods or services; and businesses that provide services and bill later, including many lawyers, doctors, and other professionals.

I want to remind you that ID Theft is a serious issue. Liabilities for carelessness still exist even though the FTC is delaying enforcement of this rule. As noted in the release, entities that are covered by other agencies may not benefit from this FTC extension at all. The liabilities for you and your business still exist even though the enforcement of this particular rule has been delayed.

With all the press-releases on this topic, when the FTC does decide to enforce the rule do you think that either "I didn't know about this" or "I didn't have time" is something you want to say in your own defense?

This has been a topic that should have been on the minds of business owners and government agencies since January 1, 2008 when the Rules became effective. The November 2007 announcement is coming up on its 2 year anniversary.