Date: Thu, 08 Apr 93 13:40:14 EST
Errors-To: Comp-privacy Error Handler <comp-privacy-request@PICA.ARMY.MIL>
From: Computer Privacy Digest Moderator <comp-privacy@PICA.ARMY.MIL>
To: Comp-privacy@PICA.ARMY.MIL
Subject: Computer Privacy Digest V2#031
Computer Privacy Digest Thu, 08 Apr 93 Volume 2 : Issue: 031
Today's Topics: Moderator: Dennis G. Rears
Re: Computer Privacy Digest V2#030
ssn issue
Availability of Records
What can "they" do with my SSN?
Re: Information privacy and applying for an apartment
[Christina Cole: Email Privacy]
The Computer Privacy Digest is a forum for discussion on the
effect of technology on privacy. The digest is moderated and
gatewayed into the USENET newsgroup comp.society.privacy
(Moderated). Submissions should be sent to
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Back issues are available via anonymous ftp on ftp.pica.army.mil
[129.139.160.133].
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 02 Apr 93 06:26:08 PST
From: Dave Gomberg <GOMBERG%UCSFVM.BITNET@cornellc.cit.cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: Computer Privacy Digest V2#030
In reply to Hans Lachman and why a SSN is needed to rent an apartment,
he should know that an SSN saves about $30 in getting a credit check
(the $30 is for getting his SSN). Wouldn't he think it abusive if he
didn't give his number, and then was charged an extra $30 and they had
it anyway?? And if they can't find it, they won't get a credit check
and he won't get the apt. Refusing to give it out is just not
reasonable IN THIS CASE.
The reason that a landlord wants a credit check is that he is getting
into a potential creditor relationship with a tenant if the tenant
doesn't pay rent. I managed a 12 unit building for four years. In
that time, I had two SERIOUS deadbeats. I needed all the credit
tracking info I could get. To me that means (1) birthdate (not for
ageism, some credit folks want it as an additional identifier) (2) SSN
(3) Calif. driver's license number. If needed, I could go into detail
about how each is used.
On a related subject, my retirement system (from which I am retired)
has just asked me to reaffirm my SSN, birthdate. They want it
notarized. My question is why? I bet they want to know if I am still
alive and they should be paying benefits. But Mother Mary, who that
was faking being still alive would not know what SSN and birthdate to
put, and couldn't fake the signature before a notary. Give me a
break! Question: What proof SHOULD they ask that I am still alive? I
was not able to come up with a good answer to that. I would think
maybe a police affidavit would be most appropriate. Or maybe from the
county clerk? Or Dept. Motor Vehicles? Or ???
Dave Gomberg, role model for those who don't demand much in their fantasy lives
GOMBERG@UCSFVM Internet node UCSFVM.UCSF.EDU fax-> 7797
Seven Gateview Court, San Francisco CA 94116-1941 voice-> (415)731-7793
------------------------------
From: Dave <c-cat!david@uunet.uu.net>
Subject: ssn issue
Date: 2 Apr 93 16:52:14 GMT
Organization: Intergalactic Rest Area For Weary Travellers
how would a person go about looking at public records for a ssn ? I
would like to be able to review my publicly held records, and if there
is a ssn on some records that should not be there, I would like to go
about getting it removed, thats another good question, how does one go
about removing ssn refrences from public documents ? and don't say,
"give me your ssn and I will do it for you' :-) ;-)
on the other side, my employer requires my ssn on my picture
identification badge, I have spoken to the security manager about
this. drew on some of the issues from the ssn article posted here
recently. he agreed to issue me another company id badge without my
ssn on it. now to try to make it company policy.
another question would be what is proper to put in the ssn field on
this type of id, it wouldnt look good to security where I work to have
blank spaces on my ID, It would look even worse to have a refused in
the ssn field. what is a proper filler ?
what got me scared with my work id is that is has my picture, full name
and ssn on it. if I lost my ID someone could easily have my name
and ssn to do with what they want. e.g. make me liable for their
earnings
thanks much for letting me have my 2 cents worth.
-David
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
China Cat BBS c-cat!david@sed.csc.com
(301)604-5976 1200-14,400 8N1 ...uunet!mimsy!anagld!c-cat!david
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 93 15:34 EDT
From: Rasch@dockmaster.ncsc.mil
Subject: Availability of Records
I am interested in learning whether anybody has done some comprehensive
research on whether journalists (or anyone else) have lawful access to
the following in all 50 states (or federally):
(1) Police criminal history records (rap sheets) which are printed out
by name of accused
(2) Police blotter information -- records of arrest, conviction,
relelease, etc.
(3) Arrest reports and backup documents
(4) Department of Motor Vehicle records
(5) Police intelligence files
In essence, my question is this -- if the police provide any or all of
this information to a reporter doing a story, have either or biootht of
them committed a crime?
------------------------------
From: David Hoffman <hoffman@xenon.stanford.edu>
Subject: What can "they" do with my SSN?
Date: 2 Apr 93 02:06:35 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University.
After reading many articles here about how not to give your SSN away,
it occurs to me that I don't know WHY I shouldn't give it away. What
can some third party do with my SSN that I wouldn't like? I think
every credit card company in the world probably knows mine by now.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 93 21:21:31 EDT
From: Brinton Cooper <abc@brl.mil>
cc: comp-privacy@PICA.ARMY.MIL
Subject: Re: Information privacy and applying for an apartment
Organization: The US Army Research Laboratory
Hans Lachman <lachman@netcom.com> asks for articles depicting risks to
private individuals when their privacy rights are abused through
divulgence of their SSN. The situation he cites involves whether he
should have to give an apartment rental agent his SSN.
I should know this, but I don't: Is the SSN required for obtaining
reports from credit reporting bureaus?
_Brint
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 93 21:25:42 EDT
From: Brinton Cooper <abc@brl.mil>
cc: comp-privacy@PICA.ARMY.MIL
Subject: [Christina Cole: Email Privacy]
Organization: The US Army Research Laboratory
Christina Cole <tinacole@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> seeks information from/about
employees whose
"... private email messages had been intercepted by their
supervisors..."
and what to do if/when this occurs.
Actually, the thing to do is not to send "private" e-mail on a computer
owned by someone else and provided solely so that the employee can
do the employer's (i.e., owner's) work more efficiently. Those of us
who insist on the right to privacy of e-mail should sign up with
services such as CompuServe. You may not be physically more secure, but
you have a clear expectation to privacy when the service is being
provided for YOUR convenience.
_Brint
------------------------------
End of Computer Privacy Digest V2 #031
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