The Identity Theft Council Announces the Launch of Its First Junior Counselors Program in San Francisco

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Identity Theft Council (ITC), a non-profit, grassroots organization that provides identity theft victims with free, ongoing support and identity recovery assistance in their local communities, today announced the launch of its first Junior Counselor Program at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco's Sunset District.  More than 120 students are taking part in the identity theft awareness and advocacy program aimed at educating students and teens about online safety and identity theft protection.

"Children and teens are prime targets for identity theft because they have clean credit records and unblemished finances," said Neal O'Farrell, founder and executive director of the Identity Theft Council. "That is exactly why it is so important for parents and their children to have an understanding of the risks and threats of identity fraud. By becoming more aware of the connection between identity theft and everyday life, students can become messengers and advocates in the fight against identity theft, in their local communities."  

The Abraham Lincoln High School Junior Counselors, who have signed a pledge to be better cyber secure citizens, were recognized in a ceremony on April 30 at Abraham Lincoln High School. The Counselors and the ITC took part in the inaugural youth financial empowerment conference, "MONEY! Youth Financial Empowerment," which featured financial education and awareness seminars geared toward high school students and parents. Opening remarks were presented by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Calif) followed by an informative session on "Understanding and Avoiding Identity Theft" conducted by the ITC.

"The administration, faculty and staff at Abraham Lincoln High School are dedicated to providing enriching and innovative programs to our entire student body," said Mr. Barnaby Payne, Principal at Abraham Lincoln High School. "We are thrilled to be the first school to participate in the Identity Theft Council's Junior Counselors program.  We recognize the long-term and practical benefits that this type of awareness and training will provide to our students and to the community."

The counselors form a corps of student volunteers who participate in awareness training on identity theft which is provided through their own high schools and educational facilities. Dubbed "Reach and Teach," this new program was started to educate students, make identity theft protection relevant in their lives, and help them to understand the behaviors that will make security become second nature in their digital lives. The ultimate goal is to turn the student volunteers into advocates who can then teach their peers, family, and friends about the growing threats and latest prevention techniques, and encourage high schools around the country to join the cause.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), each year 500,000 people under the age of 18 are victims of identity theft.  This number is likely to rise and impact students as they apply for new jobs and credit in their college years and beyond.  

"Identity theft is a pervasive crime that continues to invade our personal and public lives.  And with the growing threats of this crime on younger generations, it is important to teach them early on about safety and security so they can incorporate these lessons in to their everyday lives," said Michael Stanfield, CEO of Intersections Inc., a leading provider of identity theft protection services and co-founder of the ITC.   "We are proud to be part of ITC's initiatives and believe the Junior Counselor Program will teach the fundamentals of identity theft prevention that can last a lifetime."

About the Identity Theft Council

Established in early 2010 in the San Francisco Bay area, the Identity Theft Council (ITC) is a non-profit, grassroots organization that provides identity theft victims with free, ongoing support and identity recovery assistance in their local communities. The Council is creating a nationwide network of local partnerships between law enforcement, the financial industry, and volunteers in local communities to provide hands-on support for victims of identity theft, help law enforcement provide a more coordinated response, and improve identity theft education and awareness community by community, across the country.

The Council was founded by security expert Neal O'Farrell with the support of local law enforcement in the San Francisco Bay area. The Council is supported nationally by co-founder, Intersections Inc., the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Online Trust Alliance (OTA), Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN), and the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC). For more information or to become involved in the Identity Theft Council, please visit: http://www.identitytheftcouncil.org/. Follow us on Twitter @IDTheftCouncil or visit our blog at: http://blog.identitytheftcouncil.org/

SOURCE Intersections Inc.