Think Your Social Security Number Is Secure? Think Again

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/24/business/24money.html

Think Your Social Security Number Is Secure? Think Again

Gary C. Knapp for The New York Times

It should come as little surprise that Social Security numbers are posted on the Internet. But, says Betty Ostergren, a former insurance claims supervisor in suburban Richmond, Va., who has spent years trolling for them, “people are always astounded” to learn that theirs is one of them.

Mrs. Ostergren, 57, has made a name for herself as a gadfly as she took on a lonely and sometimes frustrating mission to draw attention to the situation. With addresses, dates of birth and maiden names often associated with Social Security numbers, she said, they are a gift to data thieves.

But in the last few weeks, Mrs. Ostergren’s Web site, The Virginia Watchdog — with the help of lobbying from an unexpected ally, America’s farm bureaus — is having an effect.

One by one, states and counties have started removing images of documents that contain Social Security numbers, or they are blocking out the numbers. Four states, including New York, have removed links to images of public documents containing Social Security numbers.

Snohomish County, Wash., for example, said Wednesday that 61 types of documents, including tax liens and marriage certificates, would be blocked. (The documents are supposed to remain public at courthouses or state offices.)

On Wednesday, the Texas attorney general, Greg Abbott, issued a legal opinion that county clerks could be committing a crime by revealing Social Security numbers on the Internet.

“I am almost in a celebratory mode,” said David Bloys, a retired private investigator in Shallowater, Tex., who also highlights the public records issue on his Web site, NewsforPublicOfficials.com.

For people wondering if they should be worried about the security of their own numbers, there is a new tool to help them.

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[Missy M]

1. People should refuse to give out their SS numbers.....

I often stand in line in department stores where people say they forgot their store credit card and the clerk asks them for their SS number, name, address and phone number so they can look it up. The people give the info with others standing in line and they can be heard loud and clear. I shake my head that people would be so willing to do it and then wonder why there is identity theft. I would never do that. I resent the fact my SS number is so easily accessible to anyone.

[babylonsister]

2. I know what you mean; it's pisses me off greatly, too, as I guard that

number as much as possible. My doctor gets it, the passport agency gets it, and that's just about it.

[donco6]

3. If they insisted on that, I would drop my stuff and walk out.

No way would I give my SS number to a store.

[Missy M]

4. I would do the same.....

yet I can't tell you how many times I have been in line and people do it without hesitation. I have never heard one of them refuse.

[donco6]

5. I've had my number stolen before.

Maybe they have to experience that before they'll get it. It's no picnic.

[tbyg52]

6. I believe Ms. Ostergren

is the person who found Tom DeLay's SSN online....!

[area51]

7. This problem is exacerbated

by republinazis shipping our jobs offshore; we have little privacy rights here in the states; none offshore. :grr: