Challenges in Business ID Theft

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CHALLENGES IN BUSINESS ID THEFT IN THE UNITED STATES Cheri L. Myers, Corporations Director NC Department of the Secretary of State

Transcript of Challenges in Business ID Theft

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CHALLENGES IN BUSINESS ID THEFT IN THE UNITED STATESCheri L. Myers, Corporations DirectorNC Department of the Secretary of State

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Who uses our data?

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NC Secretary of StateElaine F. Marshall

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Brief History 2010 – Growing number of business identity

theft cases discovered across the country, especially in Georgia and Colorado

April 2011 – NASS Business Identity Theft Taskforce formed 19 Secretaries of State Every region represented

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2011 NASS Business Identity Theft Forum

Develop proactive strategies for combating this relatively new form of crime

Purpose Key Emphasis: Balance between convenience and unauthorized access

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2012 NASS BUSINESS IDENTITY THEFT WHITE PAPER: www.NASS.org Role of Secretaries of State in reviewing

business filings – limited authority Challenges to tracking the issue

Lack of clear data Lack of penalties and laws that allow

prosecution Multi-jurisdictional investigations

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Recommendation #1Establish a statewide taskforce on business identity theft of key stakeholders

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Recommendation #2

Develop a state action plan

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Recommendation #3

Establish a notification process for businesses in your state

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Recommendation #4Establish clear steps for victim assistance and education

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Recommendation #5Conduct outreach to raise awareness and urge preventive action

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Resources Developed April 2012 website launched www.BusinessIDTheft.org

Developed by NASS in partnership with Identity Protection Association

Provide state-by-state resources for victims

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2016: Business Identity Theft Task Force Reconvened March 10, 2016 Elaine F. Marshall (NC) and Paul Pate (IA)

Co-Chair Public Outreach Education Cyber Security Data Protection

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North Carolina Has the authority to reject

documents Provides free E-mail notification

subscriptions Allows filers to submit affidavits to

correct fraudulent changes Works closely with law

enforcement to identify and prosecute

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Tales from North Carolina Fall 2011: Surge of Complaints about

Unauthorized Revocation of Voluntary Dissolutions

November 2011: Modified Procedures around Reviewing Revocations of Dissolutions

Result? Within 6 months, All Unauthorized Activity STOPPED!

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Most Recent Major Case NCSOS staff investigated a business identity theft

case that resulted in over 1 million dollars in losses collectively to 3 major cell phone companies

Scheme hijacked legitimate business identities and creation of entities created solely for fraudulent purposes

January 2016, 2 defendants charged with serious felonies; mandatory prison time if convicted

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Why is this case relevant?

These schemers were active in TEN other states!

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Conversations Needed

Internet Issues

Services to Citizens

Criminal Activity

International

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Cheri L. [email protected] Box 29622Raleigh, NC 27626-0622919-807-2050

Questions