On July 8, 2008, The Federal Trade Commission issued a press release reminding all financial institutions, dealerships included, that they should be well on their way towards developing and implementing written identity theft prevention programs under the new "Red Flags Rules."

Since 2003, Automotive Compliance Consultants Inc. (compliantnow.com) has led the way in assisting dealerships with the myriad of compliance issues facing them in today’s market. With the final compliance date for the implementation of Red Flag Rules and Identity Theft Protection programs and plans quickly approaching, ACC is once again leading the way with both technological, and hands on solutions to Red Flag compliance.

Earlier this summer, ACC consultant Russ Radant, addressed the Chicago Automobile Trade Association on a number of privacy and compliance issues. One of the things Russ discussed with dealers in attendance was the vulnerability of their service department to identity theft.