COK to Host Public Forum on Identity Fraud

Debit and credit card users who are interested in finding out more about the issues related to identity fraud, are being invited to a special public forum themed: ‘Confronting Identity Fraud: the changing nature of financial security’, which will be held on Thursday, (Oct. 19) at 6:00 p.m. at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.
The event is being organized by the City of Kingston (COK) Cooperative Credit Union as part of its annual activities in observance of Credit Union Week, which runs from October 15 to 21.
Speaking to JIS News, General Manager of COK, Brenda Cuthbert informed that the public forum would examine the current and potential impact of identity fraud on financial institutions and the roles and responsibilities of such institutions, and customers in protecting themselves.
“Identity fraud is a concern to all financial institutions and users of financial services, so while there are various groups addressing the matter we wanted to take the initiative to create a space for public discussion of the issue for the benefit of all concerned,” she said.
Mrs. Cuthbert said the keynote speaker at the forum will be Audley L. Gordon, senior partner of Deloitte and Touche, a firm that has done extensive research into identity fraud, its effects on, and the responses of financial institutions.
“Mr. Gordon will speak on how financial institutions in Jamaica should position themselves to confront identity fraud and he will be joined by a learned panel consisting of Deputy Superintendent of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Fraud Squad, Fitz Bailey and Kevin Duncan, researcher at the University of the West Indies, as well as Anthony Morris, Internal Audit Manager at COK,” she informed.
Mrs. Cuthbert noted that a wide range of specialized topics would be explored by the panellists.
“It will include the Fraud Squad’s numerous experiences with identity fraud in Jamaica and the provisions under the law. Another topic will be the benefits and risks of e-banking, debit and credit card use to financial institutions and customers.so please take the time to come out and be informed as there is no cost attached to this useful information,” she urged the public.
Over the past six years COK’s annual forums have dealt with topics such as ‘The economic impact of HIV/AIDS on the individual, employers and the economy’, ‘The contribution of women to the Jamaican economy’, and ‘The benefits of small business to individuals and the nation’.