If you slap the happiest face possible on the recent theft of over 26 million veterans’ Social Security Numbers, the outcome was the result of a stunning confluence of incompetence, happenstance and aggression. At the least, it required:
- bad network security;
- lax privacy administration;
- a stupid renegade employee, and;
- an enterprising burglar.
In other words, it took a village to steal those identities, and the thief can expect a long stay at a federal resort if nabbed.
The same risk of incarceration confronts every perp who breaks into a college, government or business database seeking credit cards and Social Security Numbers.
Seems pretty dumb, when you can pickup names, addresses and Social Security Numbers without stealing them.
Current rules say that, while a person lives, the only legal sources for Social Security Numbers include local, state and federal agencies, courts, attorneys, their contractors, assignees, or the owner of the Social Security Number.
However, County Recorders in several states post deeds of trust, mortgages and other local filings on websites for all the world to enjoy. For the unscrupulous, a huge portion of that enjoyment may be derived from the fact that, before 2002, financial instruments often included the signatories’ Social Security Numbers, along with their names and addresses.
That’s all a crook needs to become you… at least for awhile.
Officials in the State of Ohio and Broward County, Florida shrug their shoulders and offer the bureacratic equivalent of, “Aaah, Mom. All the kids do it.”
That approach, by the way, got Ohio sued.
On the other hand, Scott County, Iowa has solved Government’s problem by transferring responsibility to unknowning victims with its “helpful”, if grammar-and-spelling challenged Land Records Redaction form:
Prior to the enactment of Iowa Code 331.606A*, the practice of including social security numbers on real estate documents were common. Therefore, documents that may contain social security numbers are visible on an online search for documents prior July 2002. In order to block-out or redact a social security number, the person affected may notify the Recorders office though the form provided on this page.Such a request will be processed as promptly as possible. The redaction process will only block the number from view online and will not affect the Official Public Record in the Recorders office. Thank you for your assistance.
The victim is expected to first find and pore over all documents on file, then provide the names and IDs for each document that requires removal of the Social Security Number.
A fairer attack might include simply removing all documents from the website that have not been vetted. But that approach is far too sensical for those in charge of guarding the public’s trust.
In lieu of bureaucratic common sense, log on to your local government’s website and check your records… especially mortgages. This will probably include wading through multi-page pdf images.
Then share your pleasure with elected officials… or an attorney.
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4 comments
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June 2nd, 2006 at 8:24 am
Mick
The complaining about Social Security number theft is amazing to me. If people would direct the anger they have concerning theft, to the fact that we even have these numbers at all, then we’d be getting somewhere.
FDR threw this Social Security garbage on us at a time of weakness. We relinquished our freedom in a time of need and we need to take it back.
December 15th, 2006 at 5:16 am
Jeremy K. - educational testing services
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. When a dishonest person has your Social Security number, the thief can use it to get other personal information about you. Most of the time identity thieves use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills. You do not find out that someone is using your number until you are turned down for credit, or you begin to get calls from unknown creditors demanding payment for items you never bought.
Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems.
December 20th, 2006 at 4:23 am
Ken Dryden
Don’t make it easy for someone to steal your number
Identity thieves get your personal information by:
Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements,
pre-approved credit offers, telephone calling cards and tax information);
Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured site on the Internet, from business or personnel records at work and personal information in your home;
Sorting through trash for personal data;
Posing as someone who legitimately needs information about you, such as employers or landlords; or
Buying personal information from “inside” sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.
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Thanks,
Ken Dryden
http://upstore.org/
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Nensy
This is a great article. I am new to your blog and i like what I see. I look forward to your future work.
I’ve taken a quick look at your postings, which are very interesting. Lots of material and ideas! Congrats on being so focused!