Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 16:27:03 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 V3#055
Computer Privacy Digest Tue, 12 Oct 93 Volume 3 : Issue: 055
Today's Topics: Moderator: Dennis G. Rears
Re: crypto witchhunt?
Digital Detective At Your Service
Digital Cash
Re: Equifax/Credit Bureau Correcting
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].
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: amn@ubik.demon.co.uk (Anthony Naggs)
Subject: Re: crypto witchhunt?
Organization: UBIK (we are everywhere!)
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1993 21:49:27 +0000
Computer Underground Digest v5 #74 carried two more postings on this.
Apparently Phil Zimmermann's previous message there was not intended
for public distribution, (I forwarded it here from CuD, unaware of this).
Check his latest message, attached below, for details.
The second was a further note from Grady Ward, in a similar vein to the
one I forwarded here. I don't think it contains new information directly
related to the privacy aspects, and it seems unfair to repost too much of
CuD here. (If you're interested to read it, CuD is distributed as a
newsgroup; comp.society.cu-digest).
I am not well qualified to comment on US politics, but I sincerely hope
this is not a step towards your outlawing non-Clipper cryptography.
Regards, Anthony
----< begin include text >----
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1993 05:36:08 GMT
From: hugh@GARGOYLE.UCHICAGO.EDU(Hugh Miller)
Subject: File 1--Phil Zimmerman Comments on Encryption Flap
Phil asked me to forward this to the Digest. It points up the
problems of keeping _ANYTHING_ secret in the electronic world (unless,
of course, it is SECURELY encrypted \;-}).
It is more or less self-explanatory. Let me square his remark at
the end, though: whatever happens, Phil is facing some pretty vast
legal bills. Now is the time for all of us who favor crypto for the
masses to pony up and put our wallets where our mouths are. I pledge
$100 NOW, and challenge every one of you to match or exceed me. I'll
keep it up until Phil's out of the hole. ($100 on a regular basis is
a lot of money on an assistant professor's salary with 3 kids.)
Examine your conscience and write that check. Pronto.
Hugh Miller
Asst. Prof.
Dept. of Philosophy
Loyola University Chicago
++-------------------
Date--Sun, 19 Sep 1993 13:38:44 -0500
From--Philip Zimmermann <prz@columbine.cgd.ucar.edu>
Subject--Zimmermann statement on PGP investigation
Some of you may have received my Internet message of a couple of days
ago about the ongoing U.S. Customs investigation of the exportation
of PGP, which has now progressed to the level of Federal Grand Jury
subpoenas. This earlier message was intended by me for distribution
to a very small group of friends who previously communicated their
concern about me and the investigation and asked to be kept
informed. I did not send the message to anyone outside this group.
Unfortunately, I did not adequately assert my desire that the message
not be further disseminated. It appears that the message has gone
completely public. This was not my intention.
My lawyer, Phil Dubois, has been in touch with the Assistant U.S.
Attorney (William Keane) assigned to the investigation. We have no
reason to believe that Mr. Keane is anything other than a professional
and reasonable person. He made it clear that no decision has been
made regarding any prosecution of anyone for any offense in this
matter. Such decisions will not be made for some time, perhaps
several months. Mr. Keane also made clear his willingness to listen
to us (me and my lawyer) before making any decision. It appears that
both Mr. Keane's mind and the lines of communication are open.
My fear is that public dissemination of my message will close the
lines of communication and put Mr. Keane into an irretrievably
adversarial position. Such a result would not serve any of our
interests. My lawyer tells me that nothing irritates a prosecutor
more than being the subject of what he perceives to be an
orchestrated publicity campaign. He also tells me that his
nightmares involve FOAs (Friends Of the Accused), invariably people
with good intentions, doing things on their own. I understand that
the issues involved in this investigation are of the greatest
importance and transcend my personal interests. Even so, I would
rather not turn an investigation into a full-scale federal
prosecution. I ask that everyone keep in mind that the government's
resources are limitless and that mine are not.
Speaking of resources, many of you have offered help, and I am
grateful. Those wishing to contribute financially or otherwise
should contact either me or Philip L. Dubois, Esq., at dubois@csn.org
or by phone at 303-444-3885 or by mail at 2305 Broadway, Boulder, CO,
80304. Mr. Dubois has just got on the Internet and is still learning
how to use it. Donated funds will be kept in a trust account, and all
contributions will be accounted for. If this whole thing somehow goes
away with money left in the account, the balance will be refunded to
contributors in proportion to the amounts of their contributions.
This message can be widely circulated on public forums.
Philip Zimmermann
prz@acm.org
303 541-0140
------------------------------
From: ptownson@telecom.chi.il.us
Newsgroups: comp.society.privacy,alt.privacy,misc.consumers,misc.legal,misc.misc,chi.general
Subject: Digital Detective At Your Service
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 15:35:00 CDT
Organization: Digital Detective, 312-465-0707
DIGITAL DETECTIVE
2241 W. Howard #208
Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: 312-465-0707
Fax: 312-743-0002
I wish to announce my recent aquisition of some databases which are
primarily used by skip-tracing, investigative and government agencies
to locate people, any assets they may have, and other pertinent and
personal details of their lives.
These databases are being made available to anyone who wishes to have
access to them. The charges are simply being passed along, 'at cost'
based on what I am paying.
First, a description of what is available and the cost for access.
Then, information on how to obtain the information you want.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TRACING:
===============================
You provide an SSN. I will advise you of all the names which have
been used with this SSN, and the addresses which go with each. Or
it can be the other way around: you supply an exact name and address
(it can sometimes be a former address), and I will supply you with
the SSN used by that person.
Cost for each lookup, either direction is $60.00
PEOPLE FINDER:
==============
You provide a name. Any name okay, but very common names will
render a useless list. Middle initials and last known address is
requested if possible. You'll receive a listing of every person who
has that name, along with other data:
New address if they moved;
Telephone number provided the number is published;
Residence type;
Length of residence;
Gender;
Date of birth;
Up to four other household members and their dates of birth.
For additional information, People Finder also can provide a neighbor
listing which includes up to ten neighbors, their addresses, phone
numbers and residence types.
The People Finder database has 120 million names, 80 million house-
holds and 61 million telephone numbers.
It can be searched by telephone number only: You provide the phone
number, I will respond with the person's profile and neighbor listing.
Ot it can be searched by address only, with the same results.
Cost for each lookup is based on how extensive the search
is.
Within a single state only, $80
Checking two or three states, $95
Checking nationwide, $120
Address or phone trace, $50 (either one)
Both address/phone trace $90
People Finder comes with a guarentee: if I cannot produce at least
one person with the name you request plus an address for that
person, then there is no charge.
CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTS:
========================
Consumer Credit reports availale from one bureau, $60
Consumer Credit reports available from three bureaus, $100
I need two things:
1. The name and address of the person, plus SSN if possible.
2. A *signed* statement that your request is for bonafide,
legal reasons, i.e. you are considering an extension of
credit to the person, or possibly employing them, etc. I
cannot proceed without this signed statement.
OTHER DATABASE FEATURES:
========================
Has someone ever filed bankruptcy? The database will tell you
if they have or not. Not all federal districts are yet installed
but for those that are in the database, I can get you the details:
Any one district $40
Checking all districts avail. $160
Commercial Credit reports available on any business in file, $95
About fourteen million businesses and corporations included.
Criminal History records available at $75-100 per jurisdiction you
request searched.
Want to know if someone has ever been in prison?
Want to know if someone has ever been sued, or been a
defendant in a criminal action?
I need the exact name, SSN and DOB of the person. (If needed,
get the SSN and DOB by using the lookups mentioned earlier.)
If you have a good idea *where* such action or incarceration
may have taken place, it will greatly reduce your costs in
using this database.
Death Records can be provided in various formats:
By SSN only - is the holder of that SSN deceased or not? $30
By name - a more detailed account of their demise $40
Drivers Records can be pulled but the exact name and DOB
is essential; otherwise if you have the full driver's license
number, the search can be reversed, providing a name and DOB
plus address. (Then use People Finder address trace on them.) $65
Education and degree verification is possible, and frequently
used to expose those people who are not what they claim to be. $35
Real Property Asset Locator database $75
I can do this, but need to know *which* areas to search. With
this information, you know whether or not it is advisable to
sue someone 'for everything he has got' or not.
Who is the real owner of the corporation with which you are
having a dispute? The name(s) and address(es) of the officers
of corporations are available in many places. Sometimes you
get their home address and phone number in the process.
If you know what state the corporation is based in $45
If you wish to have a search of 30 states done $165
Would you like to know if soeone is getting workers comp money?
If you know what state they are likely to get it
from, I can verify it (only in selected areas) $63
Uniform Commercial Code filings by state $52
VIN (vehicle identification numbers) checked by state $50
==================================
Now those are the basic items available in the databases. There are
other features and further, more detailed searches can be done at
the rate of $100 per hour.
Some caveats:
You have to pay for the lookup whether or not it is successful
because *I* have to pay each time I access the databases. The better
the information you provide to start with, the more likely you will
get positive results. The exception is 'People Finder'. If I cannot
provide you with *at least one name* which matches your request or
*at least one person* at the specified address or phone number,
then there is no charge. 'People Finder' may or may not include
unlisted/non-pub phone numbers. Don't count on it. It won't work
with PO Box addresses.
Regards SSN Trace, it does not work well if the person to whom the
number is issued is less than 21-22 years of age. The number has to
be circulating for a year or so in order for it to make its way into
the database. Meaning, a person has to have credit, have entered into
various agreements, etc ... and they may have done this as early as
age 18, but best results are obtained on these traces if the person
is at least a few years older.
On the Drivers Records checks, CA only lists names without addresses
and MA/GA are difficult to work with.
If you want a credit bureau report on someone, I repeat: you must
send a signed statement (by fax is okay) stating that you have a
bonafide, legal reason for this information. Spouses are *not*
legally entitled to the credit bureau file of their 'other half'
without permission.
==================
How to obtain the information you want:
Payment can be by credit card, electronic funds transfer from
your USA bank account, or check sent with your inquiry. If you
pay by credit card or EFT, then transactions can be handled by phone
or fax entirely. With your request, include your VISA/MC number,
the name on the account, and date of expiration. Or, include the
name of your bank, the exact name on the checking account, and
*all* the numbers across the bottom of your check.
Telephone: 312-465-0707 or Fax: 312-743-0002
Generally, your search results will be returned to you within 24-36
hours under most conditions.
If you prefer to send a letter, you can include your check or
relevant credit card information in the letter addressed to:
Patrick Townson
2241 West Howard Street #208
Chicago, IL 60645
------------------------------------------------------
Information should be available to everyone, not just the lawyers
and bankers and government agencies. I'll provide information to
anyone, at anytime from the categories above. Hope to hear from
you soon with your requests.
Here's to successful snooping! Get the goods on your friends and
enemies alike. An imposter/fraud/con-artist on the net? Expose them
in a detailed message with stuff you get from the database.
Patrick Townson
for DIGITAL DETECTIVE
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1993 04:47:43 +0000 (GMT)
From: Todd M Cocks <tmc141@skorpio.usask.ca>
Subject: Digital Cash
Organization: University of Saskatchewan
[ Article crossposted from alt.cyberpunk ]
[ Author was Todd M Cocks ]
[ Posted on 8 Oct 1993 04:46:14 GMT ]
Ok, after being told by numerous people that what I was talking about was a
debit card and not digicash, I'm now struck with a question:
Why is privacy so important that people are wary about debit cards and instead
would like the total anonymity of digicash? If the purchases made through a
debit card are known only to the purchaser, the place the item/service was
purchased and the bank, what is the problem? Laws have been put in place
to protect banks from handing out account information to just anyone, no?
I can see the possibility for misuse and abuse for this info should laws/
attitudes change, but as it stands it seems to me to be people crying fire
over just a little smoke.
Digicash has many of the disadvantages of current cash transactions. Illegal
activities can be conducted with complete anonymity. If you are mugged, I
don't think the guy mugging you will accept that you don't wish to tell him
your decode number...
Anyway I'm sure there's a lot out there that I should catch up on since this
subject is getting my 'wheels' turning so much. Can anyone offer me references
to look into this more?
Todd
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 20:40:00 PDT
From: Kelly Bert Manning <ua602@freenet.victoria.bc.ca>
Subject: Re: Equifax/Credit Bureau Correcting
Newsgroups: misc.consumer
>
>In article <1993Oct5.235022.1573@camins.camosun.bc.ca> you write:
>>In a previous article, erc@netcom.com () says:
>> "Privacy Journal" reported that Credit Bureaus changed their definition
>> of an error to "incorrect information that adversely affects a consumer".
>> Translation: A file can contain garbage for years, but it is 100%
>> accurate until a consumer finds out about it and is denied a loan or job.
>
>Can you tell me how to suscribe to "Privacy Journal"?
>
It's US$109/year for 12 issues that are only about 8 to 12 pages, so I've
never subscribed. There are a couple of institutional libraries in Victoria
that have subscriptions so I read it there. It is the sort of thing that
you might expect to find in a University library, or in a law library. It
is also supposed to be available on a commercial electronic service called
NEWSNET.
The ISSN is 0145-7659. It is published by Robert Ellis Smith, who has also
written:
The Law of Privacy in a Nutshell
War Stories, 500 real-life accounts of privacy invasions
Compilation of State and Federal Privacy Laws(1992)
Celebrities and Privacy
Collection and Use of Social Security Numbers, a report
Directory of Privacy Professionals
Our Vanishing Privacy, essays on consumer issues
Privacy: How to Protect What's Left of It,
Searches and Surveillance in the Workplace
Workrights
The circulation manager is Lee Shoreham. Their phone number is
(401)274-7861, mailing address
P.O. Box 28577
Providence, R.I.
U.S.A. 02908
------------------------------
End of Computer Privacy Digest V3 #055
******************************