National Business Identity Theft Resource Website Educates Business Owners to Protect Themselves

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, DC –- A new website designed to serve as a critical resource to help business owners understand and protect themselves from business identity theft is now available online at http://www.BusinessIDTheft.org.  The Identity Theft Protection Association (ITPA) created and launched the website with input from the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), which convened a national business identity theft task force in response to growing numbers of reported business identity theft crimes. The website aims to raise awareness about the significant threat that exists to businesses.

“The public is generally aware of traditional consumer identity theft, but business identity theft could easily be described as consumer identity theft's own, even more evil twin,” said Michael Barnett, ITPA Executive Director. “The potential losses and damages to a victimized business can be truly staggering. Unfortunately, most businesses--especially small businesses--are completely unaware of the risks until it is too late. If you are a business owner, you need to learn about these risks and how to protect yourself and your business."

The BusinessIDTheft.org website is the first and only resource dedicated to business identity theft. The site provides expert information on the multitude of ways that business identity theft can occur, risk management and prevention information, victim assistance, and comprehensive local resources for each U.S. state and territory. Fraud prevention tips and the latest tools for credit protection are also featured. The site is supported by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), which has been working to raise awareness about business identity theft with a wide array of industry stakeholders, including state legislators, law enforcement, business support groups, financial institutions and others.

"Secretaries of State are working together to protect commercial documents and educate business owners about how they can reduce their chances of falling prey to identity thieves," noted NASS President Beth Chapman, Alabama Secretary of State. "BusinessIDTheft.org will serve as a one-stop resource for businesses that want to know how to protect themselves, where to go if they suspect there is a problem, and what they can do about it if something is wrong."

To learn more about business identity theft, visit the resource website at: http://www.BusinessIDTheft.org.

About the Identity Theft Protection Association

The Identity Theft Protection Association (ITPA) is the international association for professionals, service providers, businesses, law enforcement, and other parties who are actively engaged in or support the common goal of reducing identity theft, privacy, and information security risks. The ITPA offers information, resources, and training on privacy, identity theft, information security risks, and related regulatory compliance, including free online training portals for businesses to provide and manage employee training.

About NASS

Founded in 1904, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) is the oldest nonpartisan, professional association of public officials in the United States.  Members include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and Puerto Rico.

Media contacts:
Kay Stimson (NASS) 202.624.3528
Mike Barnett (ITPA)  855.843.4872