NCPC and NAB Team Up To Stop Identity Theft

 

More than 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2004, making it one of the nation’s fastest growing crimes. Identity theft is a serious problem and costs individuals and businesses millions of dollars each year. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has recently placed prevention at the forefront in the fight against identity theft. With funding by the U.S. Department of Justice, NCPC has developed an identity theft prevention initiative to help consumers take practical steps to protect their personal information. This summer, three public service announcements, depicting scenarios in which thieves can obtain personal information, were released.

 

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is once again lending support to an NCPC media campaign. NAB promotes and protects the interest of radio and television broadcasters in Washington and around the world, and serves as the voice before Congress, federal agencies, and the courts. NCPC’s identity theft radio campaign will be featured at NAB’s 2006 Radio Show in Dallas, TX, September 20-22, 2006. This show is one of the finest broadcast-related expositions in the world and welcomes thousand of visitors each year from the United States and abroad. The broadcast support of the NAB has also led to an impressive level of television support in the amount of $13.8 million, with more than 41,000 television placements to date.  NAB also debuted NCPC’s television  PSAs at the June 2005 NAB Service to America event. Following that debut, NAB sent the PSAs via satellite feed to the broadcast community and featured the PSAs on its website. 

 

“NAB is pleased to enlist the continuing support of local radio and television stations in curbing the growing threat of identity theft,” said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr. “Broadcasters are uniquely positioned to help educate Americans on this menace to society, and by working with our partners at the National Crime Prevention Council, the NAB will use all of our resources to help mobilize citizens into taking protective actions.”

 

It is important to note that identity theft is better prevented than remedied. Even the simplest of cases cost individuals a lot of money and time to resolve. These PSAs are designed to make people aware that they can and should prevent identity theft. NCPC’s12-page booklet  Preventing Identity Theft: A Guide for Consumers, is available by calling 800-NCPC-911 and is also downloadable. This publication confronts the exploding crime of identity theft and tells readers what to do to prevent it. It provides facts and figures and describes various types of identity crimes, then tells reader what they can do to prevent the crime and avoid becoming victims. 

 

For more information on the identity theft initiative, visit www.ncpc.org.