ADVISORY/Identity Theft Symposium to be Held; Community Groups, Local Bank, Governmental Agencies Seek to Educate Consumers, Prevent Crime.

Assignment Desk

ADVISORY...For Saturday (Jan. 25, 2003)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Are you a victim of identity theft? Is someone using your

identification to commit crimes? Are you sure? When was the last

time you checked your credit history file?

WHAT/
 WHEN:  A free symposium on identity theft will be held on Saturday,
        Jan. 25, 2003, from 10 a.m. to noon.

        The symposium will feature a panel of experts who will discuss
        what consumers can do to protect themselves from this growing
        crime. Topics will include ways in which identities are
        commonly "stolen" and preventive measures that individuals can
        take to minimize their risk of becoming victimized by identity
        theft schemes. Additionally, the panel will outline steps that
        can be taken if someone does become a victim and where to go
        for help.

WHERE:  The Broadway Performance Hall at Seattle Central Community
        College, 1701 Broadway, Seattle.

WHO:    The event is cosponsored by the Urban Financial Services
        Coalition of Greater Seattle, the Greater Seattle Chamber of
        Commerce's Urban Enterprise Center, the Washington Bankers
        Association and Washington Mutual.

        The panel of experts include representatives from the Federal
        Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
        Washington State Attorney General, Seattle Police Department,
        TransUnion Credit Reporting Agency, and Washington Mutual
        Bank.

Why? Identity theft is growing problems in the United States. It occurs when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in a way that involves fraud or deception. Personal data -- especially Social Security numbers, bank accounts, credit card numbers, and telephone calling card numbers -- can be used by identity thieves to impersonate and profit at the expense of innocent consumers. Many individuals don't discover they are victims for several years. In many cases, victims' losses may include not only out-of-pocket financial losses, but substantial additional financial costs associated with trying to restore their reputation in the community and correcting erroneous information.