New Certification Seal Identifies Merchants Committed to Fighting Iden...(ower consumers by highlighting current c...),Health

The Identity Force Merchant Protection Program designation is useful for any business that deals with personally identifiable information, which can range from credit card numbers, names and addresses to social security numbers, birthdates or medical information. The certification, which is priced as low as $10 per month, begins with a compliance review covering PCI standards and state and federal laws, as well as a risk assessment. Certified merchants receive customized fraud protection employee training, regularly updated policy recommendations, compliance updates, network scanning to identity potential vulnerabilities, access to fraud specialists and a $50,000 service guarantee to protect their customers, employees and business in the event of a breach.

According to recent research from Javelin Strategy & Research, consumers are concerned about identity theft protection with more than 77 percent of consumers intending to stop shopping at a merchant that suffers a data breach and 85 percent rewarding companies who are perceived as security leaders with increased purchases.

"Consumers are now well informed to look for a trusted seal when making an online purchase. We hope to provide that same uniform expectation when looking for a trusted brick and mortar business with our certified seal," Bearak explained. Bearak noted that the certification seals are reissued annually to ensure business' displaying the seal remain complaint.

For more information about the Identity Force Merchant Protection Program visit www.identityforce.com/MPP.

National organizers of this year's NCPW include AARP, the Comptroller of the Cur
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