Id Theft Prevention And Cyber Safety Workshop - Nov. 8, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Notary Public Day Observed with Cyber Safety and ID Theft Prevention Tips

Sterling, VA  – In honor of Notary Public Day, a free event is being hosted by Northern Virginia Loan Signing, LLC on NOVA's Loudoun, VA Campus to focus awareness on identity theft.  Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and occurs when someone uses another person's personally identifying information to commit fraud. Small business owners are one-and-a-half times more likely to be a victim than other adults, according to the Javelin Strategy & Research 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report, co-sponsored by the Identity Theft Assistance Center.  The greater risk may be due in part to the cash reserves and credit lines owned by small businesses.  Those having access to digital and paper-based information, or “Insider” thieves may easily use such data to exploit business owners. The lack of secure servers or computers also leave personal and employee information vulnerable to hackers.  As small business owners often don't monitor their accounts for suspicious activity, identity theft may go undetected for longer periods.  Other forms of identity theft, such as child ID theft, senior and medical fraud are also growing, according to the report.  The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

Knowing how to secure your networks and devices, recognize scams, and which steps can safeguard your child's future against fraud can help minimize the risk of attack.  Learning how to place a fraud alert or credit freeze can help victims fight back.  Handouts containing resources and tips for consumers and businesses will be available at the event. For more information, contact your area notary sponsor by email or visit www.novaloansigning.com.  All Notaries Public and law enforcement presenters welcome.

Notary Public Day was created in 1975 to acknowledge Notaries for their service to the public and their willingness to take on the vital responsibility of ensuring that people who are signing important documents are who they say they are. The date of November 7 was chosen as Notary Public Day in recognition of the day that America's first notary, Thomas Fugill, was appointed. Fugill's appointment by the Colony of New Haven occurred on October 25, 1639 (Julian calendar), November 7 on the Gregorian calendar now in use.

The service of a notary continues to be an indispensable role in today's commerce, as many highly sensitive personal business is transacted every day. Notaries promote the integrity and reliability of document transactions by paying attention to detail and properly executing their duties as impartial witnesses. The significance of a Notarial seal on a document and the confirmation of the document signer's identity continues to be an important factor in deterring fraud. There are about 5 million notaries that serve as trusted public officials in the United States.