Small Business Owners -
New Laws Affecting YOUR Business!!
I went down to the local automotive repair place in my neighborhood and had the fortune to speak to the owner rather off-handedly about some things taking place in the small business market and found her (YES HER!! What ?!?! a woman can’t own an auto repair business sheesh….) somewhat dismayed by the subject of our conversation. As I was giving her my registration to do the inspection, I asked her “Have you had any of your employees trained in the handling of non-public information?” She replied, “Well, no, but what is that necessary for?” That is when I told her about legislation that is making mandatory compliance with FACTA, Graham-Leach-Bliley and the Red Flag Rules a reality. Needless to say, she was appalled that her attorney, accountant and advisors hadn’t informed that these programs require compliance. As we spoke for about an hour, I informed her that our service provides trainings and compliance alternatives to gain compliance with what the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has requested.
In thinking about the dilemma that she faces, I came to the realization that research is the bain of every small biz owner. Ladies and gents, DO YOUR RESEARCH! If you don’t have the ability or knowledge of what is going on in your small biz arena, you open yourself and your livelihood up to a chasm of liability. If you find you need some assistance with getting your questions answered, or you simply don’t know what questions to ask, try joining a service that provides over 40,000+ small business owners a wealth of resources. GoSmallBiz.com and Prepaid Legal Services have a program that will give you not only access to advisors but will give you a website for your internet presence, a searchable listing within GoSmallBiz.com, access to attorney’s for consultation and other business related advice and a wealth of additional services.
Please feel free to look into these laws and do what is best for you and your small business, I did and I sleep more comfortable for it!
My website for additional information or to enroll is: www.prepaidlegal.com/biz/williamdcalloway
You can tour Go Small Biz here: http://www.gosmallbiz.com/
\Fair Credit Reporting Act as amended by FACTA (Paragraph 616 – 621 are especially important) www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcra.pdf
My email is: William.Calloway@CallowayPPL.com
I hope you find the information useful
Take Care and be safe,
Mr. William D. Calloway Jr., CITRMS
Showing posts with label red flag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red flag. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Why is it SO Hard to HELP People These Days
Hello Everyone,
You may or may not know that I am a small business owner and entrepreneur in the area of Identity Theft. I am a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and recently, I have had the opportunity to sit with a few clients and explain to them the services I offer through my company. Interestingly enough, in the news in NY, there have been quite a few reports about an employee of one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in New York City, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Weill Medical Center, having been charged with stealing the nonpublic information of approximately 40,000 patients. Here is the Story from NewsDay, and Here is the New York Times artcle.. During these meetings, I informed my clients that there are Federal Trade Commission laws specifically, The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) and the new Red Flag Rules which mandate that ALL companies both large and small have in place a program that maps out preventative measures and steps taken to prevent data breaches of nonpublic information. As the information I gave to them in reference to the fines, lawsuits and loss of clients/customers took root, I saw each and every one of my clients look at me in awe since they were not even aware of the legislature having been passed, much less how to implement it. Needless to say, when I offered my expertise to assist them in setting this program up, FOR FREE, that’s when I received the raised eyebrow as if to say “What’s the catch?” New Yorkers are notorious for their skepticism. While explaining that: 1. My services in setting this up are free, (all I ask is that I have the opportunity to offer my services as a voluntary or fringe group benefit to the employees) 2. New hire follow up training is free and 3. Documentation is free, I am met with extreme disbelief.
Picture this: I am willing to meet with your employees, train them, follow up training for any new hires, keep you abreast of any new legislation involving these laws and fully document all of the above…. And my only request is that you allow me to offer a service to your employees. Does that sound like a deal that would assist ANY business? Well, to me it does, however, many potential clients are so skeptical that they cannot believe that there is no string attached! Even after showing the fines levied against, Choicepoint, Iron Mountain, BJ’s Wholesale Club for millions of dollars, these potential clients are still bewildered by the fact that it is a free program for the taking.
I fail to understand three things:
1 – How a business owner could know the ramifications of NOT having this program in place yet still pass on a free offering that protects the product of their many years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears
2 – How a business owner could pass on a benefit that can be offered to his/her employees that not only increases productivity during at-work hours, but 24/7/365 and it can be offered at no cost to the business if necessary
3 – How an owner AND employee could possibly pass on a service that gives the most comprehensive Identity Theft protection / Attorney Access in the country after reading the above articles from the NY Times and NY Newsday.
Sometimes it’s SO hard to help people it’s painful. I once saw an article about a man that tried to GIVE AWAY 100.00 bills. 70% of the people he offered it to, WOULDN’T TAKE IT!!! I have since contacted these clients and am in the process of sitting down with them again to reassess their need for this program. If you are a business owner, executive in charge of the welfare of your most cherished asset – your employees, concerned head of household or simply someone in search of a better way to protect your identity, please feel to check these websites, For Businesses, For Employees, For I D Theft Protection, For Individual Families. If you prefer a video presentation Turn Your Speakers On. All of my websites have my contact information, so feel free to contact me.
Take Care,
Mr. William D. Calloway Jr.
You may or may not know that I am a small business owner and entrepreneur in the area of Identity Theft. I am a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and recently, I have had the opportunity to sit with a few clients and explain to them the services I offer through my company. Interestingly enough, in the news in NY, there have been quite a few reports about an employee of one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in New York City, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Weill Medical Center, having been charged with stealing the nonpublic information of approximately 40,000 patients. Here is the Story from NewsDay, and Here is the New York Times artcle.. During these meetings, I informed my clients that there are Federal Trade Commission laws specifically, The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) and the new Red Flag Rules which mandate that ALL companies both large and small have in place a program that maps out preventative measures and steps taken to prevent data breaches of nonpublic information. As the information I gave to them in reference to the fines, lawsuits and loss of clients/customers took root, I saw each and every one of my clients look at me in awe since they were not even aware of the legislature having been passed, much less how to implement it. Needless to say, when I offered my expertise to assist them in setting this program up, FOR FREE, that’s when I received the raised eyebrow as if to say “What’s the catch?” New Yorkers are notorious for their skepticism. While explaining that: 1. My services in setting this up are free, (all I ask is that I have the opportunity to offer my services as a voluntary or fringe group benefit to the employees) 2. New hire follow up training is free and 3. Documentation is free, I am met with extreme disbelief.
Picture this: I am willing to meet with your employees, train them, follow up training for any new hires, keep you abreast of any new legislation involving these laws and fully document all of the above…. And my only request is that you allow me to offer a service to your employees. Does that sound like a deal that would assist ANY business? Well, to me it does, however, many potential clients are so skeptical that they cannot believe that there is no string attached! Even after showing the fines levied against, Choicepoint, Iron Mountain, BJ’s Wholesale Club for millions of dollars, these potential clients are still bewildered by the fact that it is a free program for the taking.
I fail to understand three things:
1 – How a business owner could know the ramifications of NOT having this program in place yet still pass on a free offering that protects the product of their many years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears
2 – How a business owner could pass on a benefit that can be offered to his/her employees that not only increases productivity during at-work hours, but 24/7/365 and it can be offered at no cost to the business if necessary
3 – How an owner AND employee could possibly pass on a service that gives the most comprehensive Identity Theft protection / Attorney Access in the country after reading the above articles from the NY Times and NY Newsday.
Sometimes it’s SO hard to help people it’s painful. I once saw an article about a man that tried to GIVE AWAY 100.00 bills. 70% of the people he offered it to, WOULDN’T TAKE IT!!! I have since contacted these clients and am in the process of sitting down with them again to reassess their need for this program. If you are a business owner, executive in charge of the welfare of your most cherished asset – your employees, concerned head of household or simply someone in search of a better way to protect your identity, please feel to check these websites, For Businesses, For Employees, For I D Theft Protection, For Individual Families. If you prefer a video presentation Turn Your Speakers On. All of my websites have my contact information, so feel free to contact me.
Take Care,
Mr. William D. Calloway Jr.
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