RENO, Nev. -- (June 28, 2007) -- With Identity Theft a constant and growing concern, countless companies have thrown their hats into the ring, offering all manner of Identity Theft protection products and services. Many companies offering services tout that they provide Identity Theft 'specialists', and hundreds of 'experts' have emerged offering well-intentioned advice. The concern for the consumer... are the persons that they are dealing with really a 'specialists', or are they simply call center employees following a checklist? Does the 'expert's' advice really help...or is it overly simplistic and potentially increases the consumer's chances of being victimized due to a false sense of security? To combat the problem of Identity Theft and provide a professional standard for knowledge of the crime, The Institute of Fraud Risk Management (www.TIFRM.Net) offers the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist™ (CITRMS) training and certification course.

Founded by former law enforcement officers and financial fraud investigators, The Institute of Fraud Risk Management is a professional training and education organization dedicated to assisting consumers, employees, businesses, and professionals in combating fraud by providing effective education designed to increase their awareness and understanding of fraud and Identity Theft, how these crimes occur, and providing comprehensive risk management strategies to minimize their associated risks.

The Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS) course is the nation's only professional certification program specifically developed to train and equip professionals to understand and address Identity Theft and related fraud. The comprehensive CITRMS course addresses risks and issues for consumers, employees, and businesses / professional practices. The CITRMS certification program is offered in conjunction with the award-winning, non-profit Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE).

Since the introduction of the certification course in late 2005, thousands of professionals throughout North America have earned the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist designation, including risk management professionals, HR managers, insurance and financial advisors, mortgage brokers, CPAs, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, banking and credit union personnel, military financial counselors, college professors, and many others.

Continuing Education Credit for Professionals
Indicative of the critical need for this important training, the standard CITRMS certification course is accepted for professional continuing education credit from a variety of national organizations, including:
- Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards - 30 CE hours for Certified Financial Planners (CFP®)
- PACE and The American College - 30 CE hours for Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultants (ChFC)
- The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants - 30 CE hours for Registered Financial Consultants (RFC)
- The Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE®) - 20 CE hours for Accredited Financial Counselors (AFCSM)
- Numerous others are currently pending…

Some of the critical topics addressed in the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist™ course include:
- Introduction to Identity Theft and Identity Fraud
- The Public Dossier: Credit Reports, Public Records, & Specialty Consumer Reports
- Protecting Privacy by Restricting Information
- Consumer Protection Laws Related to Identity Theft and Fraud
- Identity Theft Risks and Issues for Businesses
- Identity Theft Risk Management and Resolution
- Consumer Identity Theft Products and Services
- Identity Theft and Anti-Fraud Resources

The Critical Need for Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists:
"Proper training and effective education of consumers, business owners, and employees is critical in today's world where Identity Theft and Identity Fraud crimes have grown to epidemic proportions, and theft of sensitive, non-public protected information is rampant," said Michael Barnett, CEO of The Institute of Fraud Risk Management. "CITRMS-qualified professionals are employed by a wide range of organizations including financial institutions; mortgage, real estate, and financial services firms; major corporations; military; law enforcement, and other government agencies. Many others are private practitioners and consultants."

Addressing the Risks to Consumers:
Consumers are under constant onslaught of attempts by thieves to defraud them and steal their personal information. Acting upon consumer haste and general lack of awareness, thieves and scam artists prey upon millions of consumers every year - often with devastating effect. Proactive risk management and effective consumer education is clearly a superior choice to reactive victim assistance after victimization. However, this requires properly trained professionals that are knowledgeable and well-equipped to provide expert advice combined with clear and actionable personal risk management strategies. There are many alleged 'experts' that offer only basic and overly-simplistic advice that does not adequately address the risks, and can actually increase a consumer's risk of being victimized. In the realm of Identity Theft and fraud, closing the gap in what a consumer does not know and does not understand, while assisting in the implementation of an effective personal risk management plan, is the role of the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist.

Addressing the Risks to Businesses:
Likewise, under the mandates of a wide variety of existing and proposed state and federal legislation, businesses struggle under new and continuously evolving requirements to protect consumer information. Information is the new gold, and businesses that hold protected consumer information in the normal course of business are the regular targets of information thieves. Businesses may be held liable and penalized, through regulatory fines and penalties, sanctions, and even civil lawsuits, if they do not adequately protect the private financial, medical, and other personal and confidential information of their clients, customers, and employees. Unfortunately many businesses, particularly small businesses and professional practices, are unaware of their requirements and the significant potential liabilities imposed by these regulations. Assisting businesses in understanding these requirements, their areas of risk and potential liability, and other issues related to Identity Theft and fraud is the role of the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist - whether as a consultant, manager, or employee of the business.

Training discounts are available to law enforcement personnel. Businesses, professional organizations and associations that are interested in offering the CITRMS course to their employees or members may contact the Institute to inquire about bulk enrollment discounts.

Visit The Institute of Fraud Risk Management website: http://www.TIFRM.Net

SOURCE: The Institute of Fraud Risk Management