A Message from FinCEN Director Freis to the Users of BSA Data

December 11, 2007

PDF: 20071211.pdf

'While the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network continues to increase and improve the availability of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) information to our various stakeholders in pursuit of our common mission to protect our financial system from the abuses of financial crime, the ever-increasing threat to the security of data in both the public and private sectors compels me to remind our customers of the importance of taking appropriate steps to safeguard BSA data. To protect the information provided in BSA reporting, it is crucial that you continue to uphold the confidentiality requirements associated with suspicious activity reporting. Otherwise, the unauthorized release of information collected under the BSA may result in criminal or civil sanctions. If you have any reason to believe that the confidentiality, privacy, or use restrictions associated with BSA data have been violated, it is imperative to notify FinCEN in a timely manner. I want to thank you for your continued cooperation and vigilance in safeguarding this valuable information.'