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Theme
for October:
Storing information and shopping safely to avoid identity theft 
Safeguard Your Identity Online
Letter to Bar Association publication Dear Colleagues: Just as the shoemaker's children often go without shoes, we have to make sure that we are following advice we offer to clients when it comes to safeguarding our identities and maintaining client confidentiality. As lawyers, we handle our own personal and financial information as well as that of our clients. And, we need to make sure that when we are discarding old information that our trash doesn't become someone else's treasure. While we are aware of the need for online security, we still have to be aware that most thefts of identity information take place offline. From dumpster diving – or going through trash to find documents with personal information – to stealing incoming postal mail from unlocked mailboxes and "shoulder surfing," or sneaking a look behind a victim's back at an ATM, there are many ways creative thieves can find personal information. Three ways to keep your own personal information safe is to secure, study and shred. First, make sure you do not disclose personal information, especially your Social Security Number unnecessarily. Second, read all account statements as they come in to check for unauthorized transactions. Third, shred all discarded personal information, preferably with a confetti shredder. In dealing with client information, similar guidelines apply: Use shredders in your office, make sure the place you store old files is secure, and use a secure, bonded destruction vendor if you have a large volume of information to destroy. More about maintaining security for your identity can be found at www.abanet.org/genpractice/magazine/2005/dec/identitytheft.html. Information on records management for client information can be found at www.abanet.org/abastore/books/inside_practice/2007/aug/recordsmang.html. While we will not be able to eliminate identity theft, we can take steps to make sure our information and our client records are as secure as possible. Sincerely, President |
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