HANOVER, Md. — CounselorLibrary.com, which publishes auto finance and leasing legal compliance manuals, announced Monday that the first publication in a new series of compliance manuals is now available for purchase.

The CARLAW Compliance Series is designed to help dealers tackle legal issues they face each day.

The first book, A Dealer's Guide to the Red Flags Rule, was written by Michael Benoit.

It was created to give dealers a step-by-step process in developing and putting into practice an Identity Theft Prevention Program, mandated by the Red Flags Rule.

As many in the industry know, by way of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 and issued by the Federal Trade Commission in 2007, the Red Flags Rule came into effect Jan. 1. Its mandatory compliance date is Nov. 1.

As such, Dealer's Guide to the Red Flags Rule aims to address and provide policy implementation advice the following concerns, just to name a few:

—Identify Red Flags in the dealership.

—Detect and evaluate Red Flags at the customer transaction level.

—Respond appropriately to the Red Flags detected.

—Periodically update the Identity Theft Prevention Program as necessary.

Additionally, the publication provides guidance for Identity Theft Prevention Program management at dealerships. It also includes a sample program on which dealers can base their own programs.

According to officials, the publication is in a simple, easily readable format and aims to reduce "legalese" and provide practical information to give dealers basic, working knowledge of the rule.

"Dealers belong to one of the most highly regulated industries in the country, and compliance isn't getting any easier," Benoit commented. "Our goal with the CARLAW Compliance Series is to provide dealers with helpful and timely resources at a reasonable price."

"As more and more regulation comes out of the federal agencies, we think dealers will welcome resources such as A Dealer's Guide to the Red Flags Rule as a cost-effective and informative reference," Benoit continued.

Several industry professionals offered advance praise for the publication, including Kat Messenger, director of training and communications for Carolinas Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

"It's written on a level that most dealers will be able to understand, and it's very good at explaining the whys and the hows, which will go a long way in encouraging dealers to comply," Messenger indicated.

Added David Robertson, executive director of the Association of Finance and Insurance Professions: "Another timely, accurate and practical legal trifecta from Hudson Cook. It will  be a key resource for the AFIP Certification Program Red Flags material."

The publication is available for $50, officials noted. For more information or to place an order, visit www.counselorlibrary.com.