Growing make anxious about identit...

Growing make anxious about identity theft and online privacy has l AORN to change membership identification numbers for 78000 past and rife members. This change went into weight April 2, 2001.

Like many organizations, AORN protracted has used members' social security numbers (SSNs) to identify individual members. This is habitual practice because the SSN is unique to each US resident; it tread on the heels ofs individuals as they move or change piece of works and most people know their SSN AORN always has emphasized confidentiality and member privacy when using a member's SSN

IDENTITY THEFT

Five years ago, identity theft was a little known season With the increased popularity of the Internet and unsecur access to personal information, however, identity theft has become a same real concem. Armed with an individual's name, date of birth, and SSN anyone can spread a new credit card account in that individual's name. The Federal Trade Commission describes identity theft as the fastest growing crime of our time.(1) According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 500000 to 700000 nation were victims of this crime in 2000(2)

AORN wants to lead the way in protecting the privacy of its members; therefore, the Association cause to growed a plan to eliminate the use of SSN within its business hypothesiss Beginning April 2, 2001, members and others no longer are asked to provide their SSN to receive contact hour credit, access member-only portions of AORN Online, or apply for membership.

THE PASSCODE

AORN will begin using a unique, computer-generated, six-digit number to identify members and customers. This novel identification number (ie, passcode) started appearing onward membership cards in July 2000 It replaced the SSN in succession contact hour scan sheets, abode Study Programs in the AORN Journal, and other AORN forms, beginning in April 2001 After a 12-month transition period, AORN will completely transplant the SSN from its customer database.

The challenge for many members will be remembering this modern passcode, especially when their brains already are clogg with telephone numbers, personal identification numbers, and locker combinations. Short of tattooing it upon the hand, there are three easy ways for members to find their passcode. Members who lately renewed their memberships will find the six-digit number labeled "passcode" forward their membership cards. Members also may visit AORN Online at http://www.aorn.org. If they attempt to come into a member-only page, they will be asked if they ne their member number and/or passcode. If members pick this option, they will ne to inscribe their last name, home telephone number, and e-mail address. Within minutes, the passcode will be e-mailed to the member.

Additionally, members can call customer service, between 8 AM and 4:30 PM mountain standard time, and an AORN staff member will give them their passcode. Although it will take all of us time to commit to memory accustomed to this new passcode, the peace of mind that draw nears from knowing that, at least at AORN, your personal information is protected should make any inconvenience tolerable.

NOTES

(1) B Givens, "Identify theft: The growing question of wrongful criminal records," Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/wcr.htm (accessed 28 March 2001)

(2) Ibid.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Association of Operating extent Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group