TEMPE, AZ – More than 5,400 Maryland consumers filed identity theft complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2008, an increase of more than 12% over the previous year. According to the FTC, Maryland is the 11th highest state reporting identity theft cases, the majority a result of credit card fraud.
The FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA), LifeLock and the Gaithersburg Police Department are hosting a town hall meeting on April 22 to educate consumers on the threats of identity theft and to define individual points of vulnerability. This free event held in Gaithersburg, Maryland and serving the Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas will provide consumers with an opportunity to learn more about this devastating crime as well as the proactive steps consumers can take to protect themselves. Experts from the National Organization for Victims’ Assistance (NOVA) will be on hand to lead discussions about the emotional effects of identity theft and to provide onsite counseling for those individuals that may have fallen victim to the crime.
“This crime is devastating consumers, but through our partnership with the FBI-LEEDA and NOVA, we are helping people to be able to fight back by educating them about this crime,” said LifeLock CEO Todd Davis. “As complaints of identity theft continue to be reported, the most important thing we can do is to educate and prepare consumers.”
The town hall meeting is part of a nationwide series being offered under a partnership between the FBI-LEEDA and LifeLock, and is being held in conjunction with a free law enforcement summit. The town hall meeting is open to the public and will be held on April 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Gaithersburg High School, 314 S. Frederick Ave. For more information, contact Paige Pedersen at (480) 457-2108 or paige@lifelock.com.
Founded in 2005, LifeLock works to close many of the doors identity thieves go through to misuse personal information. Closing in on 1.5 million members, LifeLock has earned multiple awards, including the Red Herring 100 Global Award as one of the Top 100 start-ups in the world. LifeLock was the recipient of two American Business Awards for advertising in 2008, and most recently, garnered an additional award honor for advertising from the International Business Awards. LifeLock representatives are available to assist members 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the company’s secure facility in Tempe, Ariz. LifeLock (www.lifelock.com) is a private company backed by Goldman Sachs, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, as well as Bessemer Venture Partners.
The FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) (www.leedafbi.org ) is a 501(c) (3) corporation. The majority of members of FBI - LEEDA are Chief Executive Officers of law enforcement agencies, Directors and Commissioners of public safety, and elected Sheriffs throughout the United States and numerous foreign countries. One of the requirements for active membership in FBI - LEEDA is to have participated in a Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives or the LEEDS training program at the FBI Academy or one of the twenty-three regional FBI Command Colleges located throughout the United States. Members of the Association consist mostly of decision-makers from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. In addition to FBI – LEEDA’s mission of leadership and management training excellence, the Association strives to provide information to its members which will enhance their ability to maintain an outstanding quality of life in the communities in which they serve.
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