MicroBilt Launches Hotline to Help Small Businesses Meet FTC Deadline for ID Theft Prevention

MicroBilt Corporation, leading provider of credit and identity verification services to small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), has set up a hotline for companies with questions on meeting the government’s November 1 deadline for Red Flag Rules compliance. The rules are intended to prevent consumers’ identities from being comprised as businesses originate credit.

Anyone can submit questions about compliance at MicroBilt’s website at www.microbilt.com/redflag_hotline.asp, or directly by email at redflags@microbilt.com and receive a reply within 24 hours with answers and links to other resources. MicroBilt is also making available a 6-page document, “The Eleventh-hour Guide to Red Flags Compliance,” (includes a sample Red Flags policy) which can be requested via the hotline as well. This document distills the 59-page FTC guidelines down to the nuts and bolts of what companies need to do by November 1.

The Red Flags initiative states that, in industries where there is a foreseeable risk of a consumer’s identity being stolen as they apply for credit, businesses must establish and follow formal processes for defining, identifying and acting upon “Red Flags” indicating potential fraud. Technically, a business is subject to fines of up to $2500 for each instance in which credit is extended without following such a process.

“With companies having to focus on the current credit crisis, we see many businesses struggling to meet the November 1 deadline for full implementation of a Red Flags Identity Theft program. There has not yet been any indication, however, that the FTC will delay its enforcement of the rules or the assessment of penalties for non-compliance,” says Bob Raleigh, Chairman of MicroBilt Corporation. “We’re seeing businesses such as car dealers struggling to develop Red Flags programs in the midst of major economic upheaval. Our Red Flags solutions, and this hotline, are designed to free our customers from the significant burden of Red Flags so they can stay focused on their core business, and continue providing consumer loans, while we deal with the complex compliance issues.”

MicroBilt’s Red Flags hotline is open to both customers and non-customers with relevant questions about Red Flag regulations and their businesses.

About MicroBilt
A single source provider for credit origination, collections, identity fraud prevention and screening data, MicroBilt delivers risk management data to more than 125,000 users at small businesses and financial institutions. An industry leader since 1978 and active member of the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA). MicroBilt is certified through and provides interfaces with Equifax and Equifax Business (NYSE: EFX), Experian (London Stock Exchange: EXPN), Trans Union, D&B (NYSE: DNB). Along with major national credit bureaus, MicroBilt maintains strategic relationships with LexisNexis (London Stock Exchange: REL), Fidelity National (NYSE: FIS), Acxiom (NASDQ (GS): ACXM), First Advantage (NASDQ: FADV), Fair Isaac (NYSE: FIC), ChoicePoint (NYSE: CPS) and leading Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) nationwide. MicroBilt’s comprehensive risk management services can be accessed at www.MicroBilt.com.