January 12, 2024

Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory & Community Profile

We're currently working on the newest publication of our Membership Directory & Community Profile. If you have not yet renewed your membership, we encourage you to do so or reach out to MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com or 814-643-1110 to discuss your membership options.

We want to celebrate you! We're currently booking our 2024 Business After Hours events! Do you have something exciting happening that you want to share with other Chamber members and the community? We would love to assist you in showcasing your accomplishments, new services/products, renovations, etc.

If you're interested, please contact Lorena to select the best date for you.

ID Theft and Mitigation of Risk

With the widespread acceptance of the remote work environment, identity theft has become a greater concern than perhaps ever before. In spite of heightened levels of awareness and implementation of improved technologies aimed at prevention and protection, identity theft continues to increase at an alarming rate, putting both employees and employers at significant risk.

The issue has become serious enough that many employers are including an identity theft protection program in their employee benefit package. A quality ID protection program will include credit monitoring and credit change notifications, unauthorized account access alerts, compromised password warnings and communication regarding address changes, fund transfers, public record alerts and more.

The following represent some of the more commonly utilized methods whereby criminals seek to gain access to an individual's personal information and what someone can do to mitigate the risk:

• Lost Wallet or Purse: Logins, passwords, Social Security cards and excess credit cards should not be kept in a wallet or purse. Copies of the front and back of all credit cards should be made and card issuers should be called as soon as possible after a loss.
• Mailbox Theft: Secure mailbox, pick up mail promptly and sign up for USPS Informed Delivery which will provide an email containing images of the items that should be delivered so the recipient will know if anything is missing.
• Through Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for anything where personal information may be used, like for shopping, banking, or other sensitive transactions. VPNs (virtual private networks) can create a secure connection.
• Database breaches: Assume that personal data has already been accessed and take appropriate precautions. Monitor credit scores and reports routinely, watch for unexpected changes, and read financial and insurance statements carefully.
• Phishing: Don't give out personal data in response to an email or call but instead look up contact information from a trusted source, such as the institution's website to verify the legitimacy of the call or email.
• Gas Pump Skimming: Use credit cards with chip protection or pay inside the station to decrease risk. Detect fraudulent activity early by setting email or text alerts that let you know when your credit cards are used. If a card is used without your authorization, call the issuer immediately.
• Phone Scams: Be alert for scams...don't give personal information to callers over the phone. Most legitimate institutions will not ask for personal information on the phone.
• Eying Code/Pin Entry: To avoid having someone watch you enter a password or pin, be aware of surroundings and block others from seeing sensitive data. Don't leave information where others can view or access it.
• Malware: Caution should be used when visiting websites, and before clicking on attachments or links in email. Use of a password manager is a good idea.

The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at hccc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3539.

Does your company, organization, or agency offer internships, research positions, or jobs to college students? Does it hire new college graduates? Do you have a project or daily tasks that you could benefit from having some extra help? If so, I would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite you, or another representative from your organization, to join us at Juniata College's Career Day - A Job, Internship, and Networking Fair.

Juniata College Career Day Information:

• February 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Last year, more than 400 students and 110+ employers attended the event
• Fortune 500 Companies, Penn Business Journal's "Best Places to Work in PA" award winners, as well as other national and international companies, were among those registered
• NO CHARGE for employer table/booth
• $10/person lunch - Cash and Credit Cards accepted on-site the day of the event

To register or for more information, please visit: www.juniata.edu/careerday

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Tammy Stuber at 814-641-3350 or stubert@juniata.edu

Interested in advertising in our enews?

Contact MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.

The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.

If you are hiring, please send position information to mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs.

Contact Us

MacKenzie Huntsman

President/ CEO

mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com

Lorena LaGroue

Program Director

lorena@huntingdonchamber.com

500 Allegheny Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814-643-1110

Fax: 814-643-1115

www.huntingdonchamber.com