Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft.pdf
Document Sample
Protecting Yourself SSN FAQs
from Identity Theft Why is the use of the last
four digits of my SSN not
Social Security Numbers and CPE Monitor sufficient?
Unlike all nine digits of the
SSN, the last four digits are not
Being asked for your Social verification and board of unique to an individual, and
Security number (SSN) when pharmacy licensure processes. potentially are shared with up
applying for a loan or credit In addition, NABP has high to 10,000 other individuals. It is
card, or even when setting up security protocols and utilizes possible that this data would not
an account with a business for required technologies and be sufficient to uniquely identify
a service, is now commonplace. protections, including encryption licensees within NABP systems.
Many organizations ask for this technologies, to protect sensitive
number because it is the only information. Why can’t NABP use my
unique identifier distributed license/registration number
nationally. With this increased Some pharmacists have asked issued by my board of
use of SSNs comes the about using the National pharmacy as a unique
increased risk of identity theft, Provider Identifier (NPI) number identifier?
and reputable businesses have from the Centers for Medicare The license number is not
been diligent in taking measures & Medicaid Services (CMS) as unique in all cases. Sometimes
to implement security protocols an alternative to providing their multiple states could use the
to protect their customers. SSN. However, applying for an same licensing numbering
NPI number requires candidates schema, which could result
Although some may believe that to disclose their SSN to CMS, in duplication or errors within
non-governmental organizations and may not address candidate NABP’s databases. In addition,
are prohibited from obtaining concerns about providing licenses may be allowed to
SSNs, in fact there is no law their SSN to third parties. In lapse and may no longer be
banning private organizations, addition, this excludes pharmacy associated with a licensee.
such as the National Association technicians, who are not eligible
of Boards of Pharmacy ® for an NPI number. Why can’t my driver’s
(NABP ®), from collecting this license number or state ID
information. In recent years, a A verification process using card number be used as an
federal government task force the SSN is the best way for identifier?
recognized the importance of organizations like NABP to Driver’s license numbers and
SSN use by private entities help ensure the accuracy of state-issued identification card
and preservation of such use. data within its systems. NABP numbers, like many other types
In addition, many states’ laws collects and reports data such of unique identifiers, are not
specifically permit private entities as examination scores and routinely collected by all licensing
to collect and use individual continuing education records boards for all licensed staff, and
SSNs for purposes of application to the boards of pharmacy therefore would not be of use to
and enrollment processes, and having incorrect data NABP when attempting to verify
to confirm SSN accuracy, could create serious adverse the accuracy of the self-reported
or for internal verification or consequences for licensees. The licensure information.
administrative purposes. use of the full nine-digit SSN,
along with other demographic What does NABP use my
For many decades, NABP information such as license SSN for?
has supported the boards of number(s), will help NABP NABP only uses a registrant’s
pharmacy in their licensure internally verify that each profile SSN to verify data information
processes and the Association created within its systems with the Association’s member
adheres to state and federal is unique, contains accurate boards of pharmacy and for no
laws when collecting SSNs information, and will match other purpose. It is not shared,
for purposes of internal data state board licensure records. sold, or distributed externally,
(continued) (continued)
Identity Theft Protection (cont) About the CPE Monitor Service
SSN FAQs (cont)
The SSN is not used for any The
other purposes and is not shared Accreditation for any reason, except to a
with other entities except for the Council for member board of pharmacy
purposes of delivering requested Pharmacy in conjunction with an official
services. Education
TM
purpose related to application
(ACPE) and NABP are working for licensure, or maintenance
Reputable organizations use together to streamline and centralize of that license, and only where
secure collection, storage, and the reporting of ACPE-accredited required by the board. NABP
disposal procedures, such as continuing pharmacy education has implemented strong security
SSL encryption, access restriction (CPE) for providers, pharmacists‚ measures to safeguard the
and monitoring, firewalls, and and pharmacy technicians. As security of this information
shredding to protect customers’ a centralized registry of this in its systems, to prevent
information and thwart would- information, CPE Monitor™ will unauthorized access or use of
be hackers and identity thieves. help to streamline the tracking of the information, and complies
Nevertheless, understanding information and enhance the ability with all applicable federal and
how identity thieves steal your of licensees to document their CPE state laws regarding data
information will help you protect activities when necessary. privacy.
yourself from identity theft.
How does NABP keep my
According to the Social Security In addition, it is expected that CPE
personal private information
Administration thieves acquire providers will phase out the issuance
secure?
your personal information by: of paper-based statements of credit
NABP monitors data traffic
• Stealing wallets, purses, and once the CPE Monitor service is
within its systems to help
your mail (bank and credit fully functional. Thus, e-Profiles
ensure personally identifiable
card statements, pre-approved maintained through NABP, which
information is not improperly
credit offers, new checks, and will include licensee CPE activites
disclosed and limits internal
tax information); recorded through the CPE Monitor
access to this information. NABP
service, will become the accepted
• Stealing personal information deploys firewalls, encryption
record for licensees to verify
you provide to an unsecured technology, intrusion prevention
compliance with the state board(s)
site on the Internet, from technology, and audits as part
of pharmacy CPE requirements. It
business or personnel of its comprehensive security
is incumbent upon NABP to take
records at work, and personal program. Further, NABP
the necessary steps to help ensure
information in your home; continues to monitor and
the accuracy of this data within its
implement new technologies
• Rummaging through your systems.
to harden its systems against
trash, the trash of businesses,
Any errors in an individual’s CPE unauthorized access.
and public trash dumps for
personal data; Monitor section of their e-Profile may
result in unrecorded or mis-recorded Is the NABP Web site secure?
• Posing by phone or e-mail CPE, with possible adverse When you click on a link that
as someone who legitimately consequences for licensees when brings you to online registration
needs information about renewing their licenses. The use forms for examinations, CPE
you, such as employers or of the SSN as the unique national Monitor, accreditations, and
landlords; or identifier is the way for NABP to publications, you have been
• Buying personal information help ensure that each individual is brought to a secure site. You can
from “inside” sources. For correctly identified. tell when a site is secure because
example, an identity thief the Web site address begins
may pay a store employee For additional information on CPE with HTTPS rather than HTTP,
for information about you that Monitor and SSNs, visit the CPE and often there is an icon such
appears on an application for Monitor FAQs section of the NABP as a padlock in the browser. Any
goods, services, or credit. Web site at MyCPEmonitor.net. portion of the NABP Web site
that requires private, personal
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
information from a visitor is
1600 Feehanville Drive, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 secure and encrypted.
(P) 847/391-4406 • (F) 847/391-4502 • www.nabp.net
052012
