[10642] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Privacy?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Dan Lester)
Fri Sep 20 21:38:35 1996
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 18:25:37 -0500 (CDT)
From: Dan Lester <dan@84.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I'm forwarding a message with more information about the Lexis-Nexis affair,
plus much more about privacy. It came from another list, and at the
poster's request, and with his permission, it is being forwarded without his
personal identification. That way no one will think he's trying to market
his products, etc. =20
I think that the many who think their social security number is "top secret"
will find out to the contrary.
dan
>Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 12:16:08 -0700
>Subject: Privacy?=20
>
>I'm in the information business, so I am quite familiar with the
>Lexis-Nexis info services and privacy issues. My firm publishes [an eastern
state]'s
>municipal tax maps and ownership information on CDROM for realtors,
>appraisers, attorneys, surveyors and civil engineers. The property
>ownership information which includes owners name, address, property
>value, etc. is considered "public record" and is sourced from county and
>state government agencies. Social Security numbers are not included.
>
>However, SS#'s are available easily and inexpensively to anyone who want
>them. There are a number of services who have traditionally provided
>this information, and much more, to private investigators and
>skip-tracers for years. Here is an example:
>
>"FIND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF ANY ADULT IN THE UNITED STATES=20
>=B0 Criteria Needed: Full name, including middle name, if known.
> Last known address. Year of last known address.
>=B7 COST: One name -- $15 $50/5 names. $75/10. No charge if no hit.
>NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT A STATEMENT THAT THE PURPOSE OF YOUR INQUIRY
> IS FOR LEGITIMATE PURPOSES." (http://www.info-sh.com/)
>
>What is a "legitimate purpose"? Do they verify this? This is the tip
>of the iceberg--your medical records are also available to anyone who
>knows the right place to go and the right words to say!
>
>There are many resources available if you want to learn more about
>protecting your privacy. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has a
>collection of fact sheets at http://www.acusd.edu/~prc/fs/pub.html that
>are quite informative. The Social Security Administration has a page on
>SS#'s at http://www.acusd.edu/~prc/fs/pub.html with links for reporting
>fraud and getting reports to check for fraudulent use of your number.=20
>The Codex Surveillance and Privacy page at http://www.thecodex.com has a
>great many links to information regarding privacy concerns. If you want
>to get political about privacy the best place to start is the EFFweb of
>the Electronic Frontier Foundation at http://www.eff.org/index.html/.
>
Dan Lester
dan@84.com
