03/04/2009
A Cortland City police officer and a representative from HSBC Bank will discuss identity theft and financial fraud, during SUNY Cortland’s community roundtable on Thursday, March 5.
Titled “Defend Yourself Against Identity Theft and Sinister Scams,” the roundtable takes place between 8-9 a.m. in the College’s Park Center Hall of Fame Room. Sponsored by the President’s Office and the College’s Center for Educational Exchange, the event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 7:45 a.m. The Park Center is located off Tompkins Street and parking is available in the Park Center lot.
Lieutenant Paul Sandy of the Cortland City Police Department and Kellyann O’Mara, vice president and Cortland branch manager of HSBC Bank, are the panelists. They will give an overview about the thousands of people who are victims of identity theft and financial fraud schemes each year. They also will discuss how scammers easily perpetrate their crimes using the Internet, telephone, mail and personal communications.
The audience will learn about measures they can take to decrease the risk of becoming a victim. Find out what to do if identity theft strikes and find out about the criminal statutes covering these types of crimes.
“Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in our community today,” said O’Mara, who is responsible for managing operations and customer service activities at both the Cortland and Tully, N.Y., branches of HSBC Bank. She joined the bank in 2005. “It is important that people are aware of this threat to their personal well-being and guard themselves against it accordingly.”
“Identity theft is a growing concern not only across the country, but in our community,” added Sandy, who has been with the Cortland City Police Department for 24 years. “People need to learn how to protect themselves from falling victim.”
O’Mara currently serves as treasurer of the Cortland Public Education Foundation, as a member of the Cortland Repertory Theatre Board, the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex Board, the United Way Board of Directors and the City of Cortland Loan Committee. O’Mara has 11 years of United Way campaign service, most recently as the 2009 Cortland County campaign chair.
A native of Cortland, O’Mara earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations from SUNY Geneseo.
Sandy, who became detective lieutenant in 2003, has 15 years of supervisory experience that includes training, managing, coaching, counseling, hiring and internal affairs. He has earned many letters of commendation from dignitaries and organizations across the state.
He is an active member of the Catholic Charities Board in Truxton, N.Y., Neighborhood Watch, March of Dimes and the New York State Special Olympics.
Sandy earned a bachelor’s degree in public justice with a minor in forensic science from SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree in labor policy studies from SUNY Empire State College. He received postgraduate training at the FBI National Academy 220th Session in Quantico, Va.
For more information on the Community Roundtable series, contact the Center for Educational Exchange at (607) 753-4214 or visit the Web site at www.cortland.edu/cee.