Standard register offers fraud advice

Office World News, Jul 2001

INDUSTRY NEWS

DAYTON, OH-U.S. businesses lost more than $266 million last year alone to computer-related white-collar crimes such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and check fraud, according to a recent report by Computer Science Institute. In order to educate business professionals on how to protect their companies from becoming victims of fraud, document management company Standard Register announced it would host nine free fraud workshops across the country.

"Fraud is much easier to perpetrate today than ever before," said Dan Thaxton, manager, Document Security at Standard Register. "Easy access to the Internet and advancements in digital technology provide anyone with a computer, a scanner, and a color laser printer the tools necessary to recreate authentic-looking documents. With even just one of these counterfeit documents, a thief has the means to create a significant loss for a business."

One of the keys to preventing fraud, is to educate businesses on how to protect themselves from white-collar criminals. At the workshops, leading fraud authority, Frank W. Abagnale, advises participants of important measures to combat crimes involving document fraud, false product packaging, labels, and related printed items.

Document fraud involves far more than checks. In fact, phony product packaging, labels, certificates of authenticity, vital records, transcripts, rebate coupons, gift certificates, medical prescriptions, passports, and event tickets are often targets for fraudulent activity.