ICTA ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TASK FORCE FORMS

The Industry Council for Tangible Assets has named an 11-member Steering Committee and has formed eight Work Groups to begin the work of its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.

ICTA created the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force in January and named Beth Deisher as its director.

ACTF’s mission is to mobilize law enforcement resources to protect the integrity of U.S. and world coinage by educating officials on the economic impact and growing threat of counterfeit circulating, collectible, and bullion coins.

Experts who will join the Steering Committee in the work groups include: Joe Boche, Special Agent, Minn. Dept. of Commerce/Fraud Bureau; Joseph E. Boling, paper money specialist, U.S. and foreign; researcher and author; Doug Davis, Numismatic Crime Network; Bob Campbell, All About Coins, counterfeit detection instructor; Jeff Garrett, Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, American Numismatic Association president; Kenneth Gubin, retired Chief Counsel of the U.S. Mint; Jimmy Hayes, former member of Congress and ICTA lobbyist; Barry Stuppler; Barry Stuppler and Co. Inc., incoming president of PNG; Fred Weinberg, Fred Weinberg & Co., error coin specialist; and Mary Lannin, independent numismatic researcher.

• Law Enforcement Liaison -- Identify areas of cooperation and develop working relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
• Expert Networks - Identify and develop teams of experts in various areas of the United States who can identify counterfeits for law enforcement agencies and act as expert witnesses to testify in court proceedings.
• Education -- Develop curriculum, workshops, and seminars to assist in educating law enforcement professionals about counterfeit coins and paper money in the marketplace.
• Research -- Assist law enforcement by identifying methods of entry and distribution networks of counterfeit coins and paper money in the United States.
• Packaging Security -- Develop direct channels of communication for law enforcement to be able to identify counterfeit third-party coin and paper money holders, fake certificates, and product packaging of various federal and private mints.
• Transport and Storage Security -- Identify and develop best practices standards to prevent infiltration of counterfeit coin and bullion products into commercial transport and storage facilities.
• Laws and Regulations -- Review and identify changes needed in current local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding the manufacture, possession, and buying and selling of counterfeit coins and paper money. Also, review and identify changes needed to prohibit the use of fake certificates and packaging and the marketing of such items, including advertising practices in print and online offerings.
• Finance and fundraising -- Development annual task force budget. Develop and implement fund-raising campaign to generate sufficient funding to support the work of the task force.

ACTF is totally funded through donations from businesses and individuals. For information about donating to support the work of the task force, contact Beth Deisher at 567-202-1795 or email beth.deisher@ictaonline.org. Make checks payable to ICTA Anti-Counterfeiting, P.O. Box 237, Dacula, GA 30019.

To read the complete press release, see:
ICTA Names 11 to Task Force Steering Committtee, Forms Work Groups (www.ictaonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=187:icta-names-11-to-task-force-steering-committtee--forms-work-groups&catid=26:news&Itemid=128)

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