Administration and Oversight of an Identity Theft Prevention Program

Each financial institution or creditor that is required to implement an identity theft prevention program must provide for the continued administration and oversight of the
program, including the following:

1. Obtain approval of the initial written program by its governing body or an appropriate committee of its governing body;

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New “Red Flag” Requirements for Municipalities MAY 1, 2009

(Model Policy and Resolution is available in our members section)
 
In order to combat the growing problem of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued new “Red Flag” rules which apply to all municipalities that have utility accounts, such as water, sewer or electricity, and other operations that defer payment for services on a recurring basis. In accordance a decision by the FTC to delay enforcement of these new rules for six months, the rules now require that by May 1, 2009 such municipalities have in place written programs to identify, detect and respond to patterns, practices or specific activities - known as “Red Flags” - that could indicate identity theft.
 

Read more: New “Red Flag” Requirements for Municipalities MAY 1, 2009

Reminder: Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act

Reminder:  As municipal elections are upon us, Clerks and Recorders are reminded that the West Virginia Legislature enacted a law requiring the clerk or recorder of each city to distribute information prepared by the Office of the Attorney General on the substantive and procedural provisions of the Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act, to any newly elected municipal officials within 60 days of taking office.
 
The League has this information on its website for you to download.  Simply logon to the members area and look for the OGPA Manual under Open Meetings.

NLC Survey: City Fiscal Conditions Continue to Worsen

The unprecedented economic conditions facing the nation are increasingly straining the ability of cities to meet their financial needs. In a recently conducted survey of city finance officers by NLC, 84 percent reported facing fiscal difficulties, up from 64 percent only six months ago. This is the highest percentage in the history of NLC’s surveys, dating back to 1985.

Almost all cities responding expect the current economic hardship to continue well into 2009. Ninety-two percent of the cities surveyed expected to have trouble meeting their city needs during this year.

Read more: NLC Survey: City Fiscal Conditions Continue to Worsen