Thursday, October 9, 2008 — Oakboro Town Council voted Monday night to approve a program to protect residents of the town from identity theft.
Larry Branch, town administrator, explained that the town received a letter dated Sept. 4 stating the town needed to have such a program in place by Nov. 1.
“It happened really quickly and we had no prior knowledge of it,” Branch said.
After reviewing a similar program implemented by Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) and completing a two and a half hour Internet course, Branch was able to create a written program for the town.
“It is our responsibility as a town to make sure personal information of our residents does not end up in the hands of a thief,” Branch said.
In the letter, the North Carolina League of Municipalities stated that the Federal Trade Commission required all towns in North Carolina that supply utilities accounts would be required to have a written procedure for identifying signals or “red flags” of identity theft and how to respond to them.
The decision to make this requirement was a result of an article published in the July-August 2008 edition of TVPPA News where it stated utilities are the No. 3 place for thieves to gather information for identity theft.
Branch gave a few examples of how the theft could occur, such as two people enter Town Hall to pay utility bills and the second person, if they had the intent to commit fraud, could obtain the personal information of the first person if it is provided verbally.
The written procedures the council voted unanimously to approve would prevent such instances where identity theft would be possible.
Also during the meeting:
• Dr. Annabelle Morgan provided an update on work completed at the Oakboro branch of the Stanly County Public Library.
Wireless Internet has been installed, along with four new, flat screen computers. The branch has also implemented a new type of library card that can be attached to a key chain.
She also thanked the town for the diligent work to maintain the library’s property.
• A public hearing was set for the next available date for a zoning ordinance change.
• Edward Hill and Wesley Barbee were reappointed to the Local Fireman’s Relief Fund Board.
• Council voted to apply for another Parks and Rec-reation Fund (PARTF) grant.
• Mission Properties, owner of Stanly Knitting, donated 1.53 acres to the town to help with emergency overflow from the industrial park.
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