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Merchants ID Theft Advisory Releases eBook on ID Theft, ID Fraud Prevention Best Practices for Small Business(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwire) -- 11/13/12 -- Giving the "good guys" help to protect themselves from the ID Theft "bad guys," the Merchants ID Theft Advisory Board ("Board") that includes executives from Avnet, Inc., KPMG, the FBI, Cox, BBB and Merchants Information Solutions ("Merchants") announced today the release of a Six Best PracticeseBook to help educate small businesses about how they can protect themselves from the ever-increasing risk management issue of Small Business ID Theft and Fraud. "It is not a matter of 'if' but 'when' an intrusion will be attempted on your business computer system in an effort to steal your customers' personal information," said John Iannarelli, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the FBI Phoenix Division and founding Board member. The March 2012 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report found that nearly 75 percent of data breaches analyzed were businesses of 100 employees or less. "The six Small Business Best Practice Guides on ID Theft and Fraud make up an eBook that offers basic recommendations in an easy to read format so that business owners can focus on their business. Our board created this eBook concept because most small businesses are not aware of Small Business ID Theft and Fraud," explained Mark Pribish, VP & ID Theft Practice Leader at Merchants and Chair of the Merchants ID Theft Advisory Board. Recent examples of small business ID Theft and Fraud have involved the use of a company's name, address, tax identification number, bank accounts, credit cards, business credit information, or purchase orders without the consent of the small business owner(s) resulting stolen information and money. "With the high profile security incidents taking place each week, IT security is no longer about relying on the IT team playing the role of police officers. Rather, every employee has a responsibility to keep the company safe. This eBook is designed to provide small businesses with best practices to help them assess and reduce potential IT security risks," said Steve Phillips, senior vice president and CIO, Avnet, Inc. and a founding member of the Merchants ID Theft Advisory Board. "We have a remarkable Board comprised of world-leading companies and law enforcement that bring tremendous intelligence and savvy to help mitigate the epidemic problem of Small Business ID Theft and Fraud," said Russ Johnson, CEO Merchants. "With the release of our ID Theft and Fraud eBook, small businesses across the U.S. can better protect themselves," Johnson added. The Small Business ID Theft and Fraud eBook presents basic risk management best practices on: Background Screening, Data Breach Risk Management, Information Governance, Information Technology and Security, Privacy and Security Law, and Social Media Risks. About the Merchants Advisory Board The Merchants Advisory Board was founded by Phoenix-based Merchants Information Solutions, Inc. in 2009. The Board's focus is to support community outreach in the form of prevention and best practices related to Small Business ID Theft & Fraud and Child ID Theft and Internet Safety and Security. Since 2009, Merchants released one of the first whitepapers ever written on Small Business ID Theft and Fraud and created MKIDSS (Merchants Kids Identity Safety & Security) to help educate students, parents and teachers on ID Theft and Internet Safety. The all-volunteer Merchants ID Theft Advisory Board consists of: Kent Ailes, VP Risk Management, Arizona Federal Credit Union David Beauchamp, Partner, Bryan Cave, LLP Michael Benoit, Partner, Hudson Cook, LLP Russ Chacon, Senior Director, PayPal, Inc. James Collins, VP Sales & Marketing, Merchants Information Solutions, Inc. Lisa Daniels, Managing Partner, KPMG, LLP John Iannarelli, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC), FBI Phoenix Division Russ Johnson, President & CEO, Merchants Information Solutions, Inc.; Christine Jones, former Chief Legal Counsel, Go Daddy Group & President, CNJ Management Mike O'Shaughnessy, President, Guardian Pro, LLC Gregg A. Ostro, President & CEO GO Media Companies, Board Co-Chair Steve Phillips, senior vice president and CIO, Avnet, Inc. Mark Pribish, VP & ID Theft Practice Leader, Merchants, Board Co-Chair Alan Saquella, Security &Risk Management Executive, Cox Communications Scott Smith, President & Managing Director, NXG StrategiesAbout Merchants Information SolutionsMerchants Information Solutions, Inc. founded over a century ago is a nationally recognized leader in ID Theft Restoration enterprise solutions and the exclusive provider of the Merchants Integrity Test which is proven to reduce worker compensation loss rates an average of 60%. Merchants is also a national leader in background screening for employers and residential communities. Merchants is honored to have as national spokespersons Jerry Colangelo, international pro sports and business executive and Harvey Mackay, NY Times bestselling business author and syndicated columnist. Gregg Ostro Email Contact or Brooke Martin Email Contact 602.955.5656 x 231 Source: Merchants Information Solutions |