The city of Dover will be developing a comprehensive identity theft prevention policy over the next six months, city staff explained to a City Council committee Nov. 10.

    Originally the city was supposed to have the policy in place by Nov. 1, but the Federal Trade Commission gave a six-month extension to municipalities because there was so much miscommunication between federal and local governments, Terry Tieman, director of administrative services, told the Legislative, Finance and Administration Committee.
 
   “We’ve been working diligently, but it’s going to take the full six months,” she said of the committee working on the policy. They hope to bring a policy to council by March 2009, she added.
 
   While the city is required to protect all utility customer information from identity theft, Tieman said Dover is going further to put a comprehensive protection in place for all departments.
 
   “Protecting our customers’ identity is part of our responsibility,” she said, later adding that if someone’s personal information is stolen, the city can be held liable.
 
   The identity theft prevention policy won’t change city operations much, Tieman said. It will just make practices consistent across all city departments and include more documentation.
 
   In reply to Councilman William McGlumphy’s question about the cost of the new policy, Tieman said it would mostly be staff time, although there may be some small items like shredders.

    “The cost will be minimal, but there will be some,” she said.

    In a later interview, Tieman said in her 20 years with the city she only remembers less than five minor incidences where someone’s identity information was stolen.

Email Jayne Gest at jayne.gest@doverpost.com