Harry J. Houck Jr. Bio

Harry J. Houck Jr. was on the team of NYPD Detectives that first investigated Identity Theft cases in the early '90s. It was there he identified the nexus between ID Theft and Terrorist Financing. By the time he retired from the NYPD in 2002 at the prestigious rank of Detective 1st Grade, he was recognized as one of the country's leading experts and authorities on these new hi- tech crimes.

He teaches his identity theft / terrorist financing investigation techniques at the internationally renowned NYPD criminal investigation course and Law Enforcements Agencies and businesses countrywide. He has also lectured to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, the United States Secret Service and recently to the FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force.

He has worked with the National Distric Attorneys Association to develop an identity theft investigations course, which he presents to District Attorneys nationwide.

Houck believes that local law enforcement is the first line of defence and their awareness is a key factor in identifying terrorist financing. At the lecture podium, he brings his experience and skill together in a no-nonsense awareness program. His unique insight and knowledge, combined with his 15 years of investigative expertise in financial crimes, robbery and homicide--and his fraud investigation experience at a major financial institution--provides timetested rules for significantly reducing the chances of terrorist financing. His entertaning and street savvy, "tell it like it is," approach keeps audiences captivated from start to finish.

The former Marine Sergeant and Vietnam veteran draws from a wealth of experience. While assigned to the NYPD's Detective Squad, Houck developed, tested and implemented antifraud and financial investigative strategies and techniques that resulted in hundreds of arrests and significantly reduced financial crimes. His practiced insight helped uncover vital information often overlooked by investigators. His abillity to quickly and accurately judge investigative situations helped to increase arrests and prosecutions, postioning him at the top of his field.

He owned and operated his own security firm for 12 years, which specialized in executive protection, loss prevention programs and special event security. He has provided protection for heads of state including the President and Vice President of the United States and one-on-one protection for the King of Jordan, the Prime Minister of China, President of Nicaragua and other foreign dignitaries.

He recently developed an innovative investigative process for a major financial institution, which identifies patterns of customer behavior to prevent client fraud, saving the institution millions of dollars and significantly reducing identity theft and customer fraud. Houck changed the banks Regulation E investigative procedures while staying in compliance with the Regulation.

Houck also cousults and coordinates investigative strategies with the United States Secret Service, FBI, NYPD, United States Postal Inspectors and Finacial Institutions. His free, award-winning crime and fraud awareness website www.nycstreetsmarts.com offers real world tips for consumer protection and was recently featured on Channel 9 UPN News.

"Naivete is the hallmark of vulnerability"