FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND CONSUMER PROTECTION BOARD TEAM UP WITH THE NEW YORK GIANTS TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT
Launches Public Service Announcement Featuring New York Giants Wide Receiver Amani Toomer
Proclaims October 26 to November 1 as Identity Theft Awareness Week
Governor David A. Paterson and the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) today teamed up with 2007 Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants, to launch a public service campaign featuring New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer to raise awareness about Identity Theft for New York’s consumers. Additionally, Governor Paterson issued a proclamation declaring the week of Sunday, October 26 through Saturday, November 1, 2008, as Identity Theft Awareness Week in New York State.
“Identity theft is a serious crime that affects millions of New Yorkers every year. The more information made available to New York’s consumers, the more educated they will be in how to protect their personal information,” said Governor Paterson. “I would like to thank CPB Executive Director Mindy A. Bockstein, the New York Giants and Amani Toomer for championing this cause. By getting the word out on identity theft, New York State can reduce the number of victims of this insidious crime.”
Identity theft is the most common consumer fraud complaint in the United States affecting approximately ten million Americans each year. New York State is sixth per capita in identity theft complaints in the nation, with nearly 20,000 complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2007. Last year, as a result of fraud, New York consumers reported paying $46,103,842; a $5 million increase from the $41,798,588 reported in 2006. As such, defeating identity thieves is a top priority for Governor Paterson, the CPB and the New York Giants.
The Amani Toomer identity theft public service announcement (PSA) will run statewide – on television and radio – beginning Monday, October 27, 2008. The PSA can also be heard or viewed on both the New York Giants’ and the CPB’s websites at www.giants.com or www.nysconsumer.gov respectively. The PSA will be followed by an identity theft workshop for law enforcement, a podcast featuring tips for consumers and more from the CPB. For more details on the workshop and podcast, please visit the CPB’s website.
Legendary New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer said: “The New York Giants is proud to co-sponsor this campaign to help raise awareness about identity theft. In raising awareness about identity theft, we are tackling a growing crime that affects millions of people. We salute Governor Paterson and the Consumer Protection Board for its proactive approach to protecting consumers, and join with them in advising consumers not to get sidelined by identity theft.”
CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Mindy A. Bockstein said: “The best defense is a good offense. Just as the Giants need a winning strategy to be victorious over opponents, people need a good game plan to defeat perpetrators of identity theft. With the Giants’ Amani Toomer championing this cause, we are taking a ‘Giant’ step toward educating consumers on how to avoid having their personal information and identity intercepted. As a result of this joint effort, and Governor Paterson’s leadership, the Consumer Protection Board is empowering consumers with equipment to prevent and mitigate the consequences of identity theft if they become a victim.”
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Chair of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee, said: “New York State has enacted some of the toughest laws in the country to protect consumers from ID theft, but there are steps that consumers can take on their own to protect themselves from identity thieves. I am pleased to work with my colleagues in government and the New York Giants to help raise awareness among consumers about how they can prevent ID theft and safeguard their credit and finances.”
Assembly Member Audrey I. Pheffer, Chair of the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, said: “This year the State enacted a comprehensive law aimed at preventing identity theft and enhancing victims’ ability to recover from this disruptive and costly crime. Now we call upon all New Yorkers to take preventative steps to combat identity theft. If we stay alert, protect our personal information, and report suspicious activity we can stop identity thieves. I applaud the Governor, the Consumer Protection Board and the New York Giants for their efforts to increase identity theft awareness.”
Diane LaVigna-Wixted, Executive Director of the New York Credit Union Foundation, said: “Governor Paterson has set aside next week as Identity Theft Awareness Week in New York State, and we are pleased to join with him, the Consumer Protection Board and the New York Giants in raising awareness about this issue. The Credit Union Foundation has been working to inform credit union members about the dangers of identity theft for the last year through a statewide campaign. Additional public service announcements and educational videos will be available from the Foundation in November. We commend the State for its hard work toward achieving greater ID theft protections for all New Yorkers, and thank the Giants organization for its assistance in bringing the message home to consumers.”
One tool consumers can use to prevent identity theft is the implementation of a security freeze. While it is not for everyone, with a security freeze in place, most outside entities will not be able to get a copy of a consumer’s credit history. Under New York State law, credit bureaus have four business days from the date they receive a consumer’s request to place a Security Freeze on a consumer’s credit file (in 2009 it decreases to three business days, and in 2010 it decreases to one business day). Note that some credit reporting agencies will place the freeze more quickly, and that some will place it instantly if the request is made online. The CPB is statutorily responsible for monitoring the time and technology it takes to place and remove a Security Freeze, based upon the 2006 law enabling consumers to “freeze” or lock access to their credit report against anyone trying to open up a new account or to get credit in their name.
To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call the toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit the CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information and resources.
About the New York Giants:
The New York Football Giants began play in 1925 and is a cornerstone franchise of the NFL. With seven (7) championships and over 600 game victories, the Giants are considered one of sports all-time great franchises. Headquartered at Giants Stadium, in East Rutherford, NJ, the Giants are currently in their 84th season of play.About the CPB:
The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State’s top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB’s core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the “Do Not Call” law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.
Click here to view the Identity Theft Awareness Week Proclamation
