FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFrom: Kayserian, Lerna [Lerna.Kayserian@asm.ca.gov]
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 3:04 PM
To: Kayserian, Lerna
Subject: PRESS RELEASE -- ASSEMBLYMEMBER PORTANTINO HOSTS IDENTITY THEFT CONFERENCE

ASSEMBLYMEMBER PORTANTINO HOSTS IDENTITY THEFT CONFERENCE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lerna Kayserian

November 3, 2007 (626) 577-9944

 

ASSEMBLYMEMBER PORTANTINO HOSTS IDENTITY THEFT CONFERENCE

 

DUARTE, CA – Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) hosted an identity theft conference today at the Duarte Community Center. A panel of experts from several state agencies provided critical information to the public about protection against identity theft and fraud.

 

The experts included Joanne McNabb from the California Department of Consumers Affairs, Office of Privacy Protection, Jim Root, Deputy Attorney General from Special Crimes Unit of the California Department of Justice, Clay Pritchard from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Brenda Fink from Contractors State License Board, Statewide Investigative Fraud Unit.

 

“Identity theft and elder abuse are terrible,” said Assemblymember Anthony Portantino. “I am glad we can put safety experts in a room with folks who need some guidance.”

 

The first presenter, Joanne McNabb, launched the conference by presenting an overview of what constitutes identity theft, who it affects, and provided prevention techniques that reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Deputy Attorney General Jim Root stressed the importance of education in regards to the crime of identity theft. He explained that there are many challenges to the punishment of the crime and that there is a need for new investigative and non traditional strategies. LA County Sheriff Clay Pritchard gave a more local perspective on the issue and spoke about some of the day to day problems that County law enforcement officers have faced. Investigator Brenda Fink focused on fraud issues involving contractors and precautions consumers should taking before hiring them.

 

The following websites provide additional information on the prevention of identity theft and fraud:

 

http://www.privacy.ca.gov/cover/identitytheft.htm

http://ag.ca.gov/idtheft/

http://www.lasd.org/sites/CCB_Internet/identity_theft.htm

http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/consumers-overview.asp

 

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City. It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.

 

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