It was also approved for 30 Personal Achievement in Continuing Education (PACE) credits in conjunction with the American College and the Society of Financial Service Professionals for Chartered Financial Consultants (ChFCs) and Chartered Life Underwriters (CLUs) continuing education requirements. The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants also accepts the CITRMS program for 30 CEs for its Registered Financial Consultants (RFCs).

The "ICFE Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist" (CITRMS) educational and certification testing program comprehensively prepares and equips law enforcement professionals, financial planners and CPA's, resolution advocates, notaries, lawyers, credit and debt counselors, through education, testing and computer software training, with the knowledge and skills necessary to help consumers and businesses fully assess and minimize their present risk of credit and identity theft. 15 CEs are on the general principles of financial planning and 15 CEs are on insurance planning and risk management.

Financial planners, insurance advisers and counselors are on the front lines of helping their clients secure their financial futures. The rampant epidemic of Identity Theft, cyber-crime, and other types of consumer fraud poses a serious threat to that financial security, and the impact can do be truly devastating. The acceptance of this course by the CFP Board of Standards and Practices, the American College and the Society of Financial Service Professionals clearly demonstrates that in today's environment, it is critical for financial services professionals to educate and assist their clients in addressing all aspects of risk management not only in the traditional sense today it must include credit and identity theft risk management. Most consumers are simply unaware of the extent of their risk exposure, and the professional who is in a position to provide this type of client assistance provides a valuable, much-needed service that distinguishes themselves amongst their peers.

The program enrollment includes an Independent Study Guide, the CasePlanner Software, an ICFE PowerPoint Show on ID Theft Risks, and a 100 question written examination. An 80 passing percent grade is necessary for enrollees to become an ICFE Certified CITRMS and earn the CEs and PACE CEs.

There are five areas of study and testing:
1) Understanding Identity Theft
2) Credit Reports, Specialty Reports and Public Records
3) Identity Theft Risk Management and Resolution Using CasePlanner Software
4) Consumer Protection Law Summaries
5) Identity Theft Risks and Issues for Businesses.

The ICFE has certified over 1500 professionals nationwide as Certified Credit Report Reviewers™ , Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists™ and Certified Personal Finance Instructors for the ICFE's Money Instruction Book personal finance curriculum.

A partial listing of some of the organizations who have enrolled people in one of the ICFE's certification programs includes:

American Center for Credit Education
US Army Community Service
Center for Economic Progress, Chicago, IL
Consumer Credit of Des Moines, Des Moines, IA
Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Family Financial Education Foundation, Evanston, WY
US Air Force Family Support Centers
US Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers
Navy Federal Credit Union
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

For more information about the ICFE's certification programs, please visit www.icfe.info.

Contact: Paul Richard, RFC -- ICFE Executive Director (619) 239-1401

About the ICFE:

The Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), founded in 1982 by the late Loren Dunton (creator of the "certified financial planner" (CFP) designation) and it is dedicated to helping consumers of all ages to improve their spending, increase savings and use credit more wisely. The ICFE trains and certifies Personal Finance Instructors for its own curriculum. It also trains and certifies Credit Report Reviewers and Identity Theft Prevention Specialists.

The ICFE is an award winning, nonprofit, consumer education organization that has helped millions of people through its education programs and resources. It publishes the Do-It-Yourself Credit File correction Guide, now in its 16th printing and has distributed over one million "Credit/Debit Card Warning Labels" and "Credit/Debit Card Sleeves" world wide.

The ICFE became an official partner with the Department of Defense/Financial Readiness Campaign in June of 2004.

The ICFE is also a partner in the national Jump$tart Coalition for Financial Literacy and the California Jump$tart chapter. The ICFE staff is also active with San Diego Saves, an offshoot of America Saves, and the California Student Debt Resource Awareness Project (CASDRAP) (studentdebthelp.org).

The ICFE's on-line help for consumers who spend too much was featured in PARADE Magazine in the Intelligence Report section. The money helps and tips are from "The Money Instruction Book," a course in personal finance, positioned to become among the premier programs in the new bankruptcy and debtor education initiatives.

The ICFE Web site at: http://www.icfe.info helps consumers with mending spending, learning about the proper use of credit, budget and expense guidelines, how to set up and implement a spending-plan and also how to access financial education courses and videos and how to teach children about money. Other ICFE services include a free eNewsletter, and an online resource center of financial education learning tools, including videos, books, software and personal finance courses.

Contact: Paul Richard, RFC -- ICFE Executive Director (619) 239-1401