Chamber Luncheon

It’s a 50 billion dollar international industry that affects millions of unsuspecting people.  Identity theft occurs when an imposter steals, assumes, impersonates, or otherwise hijacks another’s identity.  In spite of the efforts employed by companies, financial service providers, individuals, and law enforcement to curb the occurrences of identity theft, this crime continues to grow in scope and sophistication.  The thieves can apply for credit, open bank accounts, obtain cell phones, establish utilities, and rent dwellings all in the name of the victim.  The most effective way to combat this stealth crime is prevention.  Rich Elsmore, Vice-President of Training and Development at State Bank of Southern Utah, is a 43-year banking veteran who worked with Bank of America in Southern California, before relocating with the bank to Las Vegas.  Rich moved to St. George in 2005 to continue his banking career with State Bank of Southern Utah.  Rich oversees the bank’s anti-money laundering compliance activities, and recently assumed the day-to-day operational management of State Bank’s 13 retail branch offices.   Today, Rich speaks to us about the various schemes thieves and hackers use to hijack a person’s identity and their bank accounts.  He will discuss various preventive measures consumers and businesses can practice to protect their identity, and to thwart the activities of identity thieves and account hijackers.  Your wallet is under attack!  Let’s see how they take your money, and how you can protect it!