IDAHO BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU RECOMMENDS BUSINESS OWNERS TO CHECK THEIR ELECTRONIC SECURITY Times-News: Magicvalley.com, Twin Falls, ID:

Tip to business owners: Check electronic security
By Chris Steinbach
Many Magic Valley business owners would question their electronic security if they had attended a Better Business Bureau workshop Tuesday in Twin Falls.

About a dozen businesses were represented at the workshop, which was held in the KMVT Community Room.

Business owners who missed the workshop might want to check out 'Security and Privacy Made Simpler,' a report that is available at the Better Business Bureau Web site (http://www.bbb.org).

When it comes to complying with the Fairness and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, Nora Carpenter, executive director of the Better Business Bureau in Idaho, says many businesses 'frankly don't do a good job.'

The law was an attempt by Congress to address identity theft, Carpenter said. 'Identity thieves have turned their attention to a little gold mine known as businesses,' she said.

And it can happen in ways many business owners might never consider. For example, a laptop computer containing business information is stolen from an employee's car. The business would be liable for any personal information contained on that stolen computer, Carpenter said, and the fines can add up quickly.

Perhaps worst of all, the business would have to disclose to all of its employees, customers and suppliers that personal information may have been stolen or compromised. It can cause a business to lose trust and credibility, Carpenter said, which is something no one can afford to lose.