Identify theft workshop: Learn how to protect you and your practice: Part 2 (Proceedings)
A "red flag" is anything that indicates possible identity theft. In other words, it is something that makes you suspicious that the person may not be who they claim to be. It could be an event or document, or suspicious action.
Red Flags Rule and How it Applies to Your Business
Definition and Examples of "Red Flags"
A "red flag" is anything that indicates possible identity theft. In other words, it is something that makes you suspicious that the person may not be who they claim to be. It could be an event or document, or suspicious action.
Veterinary practices may not encounter a red flag frequently, but the FTC does expect veterinarians and their service providers to comply with the rules. There are currently 26 "red flags" identified by the FTC and they are as follow:
26 red flags:
1. A fraud alert included with a consumer report.
2. Notice of a credit freeze in response to a request for a consumer report.
3. A consumer reporting agency providing a notice of address discrepancy.
4. Unusual credit activity, such as an increased number of accounts or inquiries.
5. Documents provided for identification appearing altered or forged.
6. Photograph on ID inconsistent with appearance of customer.
7. Information on ID inconsistent with information provided by person opening account.
8. Information on ID, such as signature, inconsistent with information on file at financial institution.
9. Application appearing forged or altered or destroyed and reassembled.
10. Information on ID not matching any address in the consumer report, Social Security number has not been issued or appears on the Social Security Administration's Death Master File, a file of information associated with Social Security numbers of those who are deceased.
11. Lack of correlation between Social Security number range and date of birth.
12. Personal identifying information associated with known fraud activity.
13. Suspicious addresses supplied, such as a mail drop or prison, or phone numbers associated with pagers or answering service.
14. Social Security number provided matching that submitted by another person opening an account or other customers.
15. An address or phone number matching that supplied by a large number of applicants.
16. The person opening the account unable to supply identifying information in response to notification that the application is incomplete.
17. Personal information inconsistent with information already on file at financial institution or creditor.
18. Person opening account or customer unable to correctly answer challenge questions.
19. Shortly after change of address, creditor receiving request for additional users of account.
20. Most of available credit used for cash advances, jewelry or electronics, plus customer fails to make first payment.
21.Drastic change in payment patterns, use of available credit or spending patterns.
22. An account that has been inactive for a lengthy time suddenly exhibiting unusual activity.
23. Mail sent to customer repeatedly returned as undeliverable despite ongoing transactions on active account.
24. Financial institution or creditor notified that customer is not receiving paper account statements.
25. Financial institution or creditor notified of unauthorized charges or transactions on customer's account.
26. Financial institution or creditor notified that it has opened a fraudulent account for a person engaged in identity theft.
When does a veterinary practice qualify as a creditor?
The Red Flags Rule's broad definition of "creditor" makes many veterinary practices subject to its requirements. For example, if your practice bills clients for partial or full payment for services performed, you are considered a creditor
