Mistaken Identity: Are You Vulnerable to Identity Theft?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tammy Mescobi
Director of Media & Public Relations
(310) 288-4283
tam@nsbn.com

Mistaken Identity: Are You Vulnerable to Identity Theft?

Beverly Hills, California, August 14, 2006 NSBN LLP (www.nsbn.com), Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants in Beverly Hills, reports on key steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft.

Last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission, there were over 45,000 complaints of identity theft in California alone. "Identity theft victims may spend thousands of dollars and months or even years trying to clear their names and their credit," according to NSBN Partner, Eileen Cohen. "The most important thing is to be vigilant about all your personal information".

What to Do If You Are a Victim:

If you discover or suspect that you are a victim of identity theft, act quickly - time is of the essence. Take the following steps:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit report and review your credit reports for additional errors. This will help prevent a thief from opening more accounts in your name. Contact the fraud hotline: Equifax: (800) 6851111/www.equifax.com)

2. Close any accounts to which you think a thief may have access. Call the companies' fraud departments right away, and send any documentation you have by certified mail. Use the ID Theft Affidavit, available online: www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

3. File a report with the local or state police, and the Identify Theft Registry.

This is a centralized database to verify that your identity has been stolen. Find more information at http://ag.ca.gov/idtheft.

4. Take steps to correct the false information on your credit report. See complete guidelines for action in Take Charge-Fighting Back Against Identity Theft at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

5. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file online or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotlines, toll-free: 1877- ID-THEFT.

6. Contact NSBN or your accounting firm. Your accountants need to be aware of the situation and can advise you on steps to take. While identity theft is a growing threat for everyone, following the steps outlined above will reduce your vulnerability. The key is to be conscious always of the value of your personal information, and the importance of safeguarding it.

About NSBN LLP

NSBN LLP (formerly Nanas, Stern, Biers, Neinstein and Co. LLP) is a full service CPA and business consulting firm that has been in practice in Beverly Hills, California, for over 50 years. The firm currently ranks among the top 25 CPA firms in Los Angeles County and among the top 20 Best Places to Work in Los Angeles.

NSBN has 18 partners and a staff of approximately 80. NSBN has particular expertise in various industries, including real estate, escrow, nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurial businesses, entertainment, employee benefit plans, and high net worth individuals.

For more information, please visit www.nsbn.com.

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