According to the Federal Trade Commission, each year, nine million Americans have their identities stolen. Many of these thefts occur to individuals and small businesses, but recently, churches have become targets as well.
You may be a church, but you're handling sensitive personal and financial information. Churches can develop policies that help protect them and the people they serve.
Persons seeking to obtain personal and financial information of others may view churches as potential targets. You will want to be prudent and responsible in protecting the personal data of your members who trust you to handle such information appropriately.
To help protect the church and its members, staff and volunteers, develop data security policies and make sure they are communicated and explained as necessary and appropriate. Train staff and volunteers to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. Here are more data security tips:
The suggestions above are general in nature, and there may be additional steps that are necessary or appropriate for your church's situation. For more information on what to do in the event of a data or identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission's.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice. Readers should use this article as a tool, along with best judgment and any terms or conditions that apply, to determine appropriate policies and procedures for your church's risk management program.