ADVISORY/Social Security Administration Warns Seniors of Slave Reparation Hoax.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2001

TOPIC: In a recent investigation, the Social Security Administration's Office
of the Inspector General reportedly discovered more than 29,000 people fell
victim to a hoax concerning fliers offering $5,000 in slave reparation,
according to The Washington Post. The fraudulent flier, which allegedly was
posted in churches, nursing homes and senior centers, stated that people born
before 1928 would receive a refund from the government due to the Slave
Reparation Act. The Slave Reparation Act does not currently exist. Those duped
by the flier sent in private information including their social security
numbers and birth certificate copies. Previously, the Federal Trade Commission
stated that people responding to such fliers can wind up victims of identity
theft. The fliers directed responses to a post office box in the care of a
National Victims' Registrar at the TREA Senior Citizens League (TSCL). The
Social Security Administration's investigation found that the TSCL was not
involved with the flier and the origin of the hoax is not yet known, the
article says. EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts
to comment on this story:

Mr. Robert J. Nighan, of Travelers Insurance, is the product manager and creator of industry-first identity fraud expense coverage, which provides coverage for expenses that frequently face victims of identity theft as they work to repair the damage caused by the identity thief. PR: Laura Bradshaw ([e-mail]; 860/277-7461).

Ms. Lorna Christie, vice president of public affairs and communications for Image Data, LLC, is a 13-year veteran of the consumer privacy field and consumer protection. Before joining Image Data, an innovative loss prevention company that enables consumers and businesses to guard against identity fraud, she administered the Direct Marketing Association's self-regulatory initiatives for 11 years. She also served as Associate Director for Business and Consumer Liaison under the Special Adviser to the President for Consumer Affairs during the George Bush Administration, where she coordinated national consumer awareness activities. As Image Data's Chief Privacy Officer, Ms. Christie is responsible for securing consumer trust for the company by ensuring that its commitment to responsible information standards permeates every facet of its business process. Lorna works with the business and technical teams to create and implement information standards and procedures, and serves as the external liaison to the privacy and consumer advocacy community. She is a founding member of the Corporate Privacy Officer Association, and serves on its Operating Committee. 603/598-7500 ext. 130, [e-mail]; PR: Jeanne Yocum ([e-mail]; 781/331-9470).

Professor Fred Pampel, of the University of Colorado, is an expert regarding social security policies, demography, population and sociology. 303/492-5620; 303/492-1411 (University PR Phone)

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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