Social Security Number Published - Press Release
CyberBullyation:
Social Security Numbers Publicized on Critics’ Websites
Public records with personal information vulnerable;
lack of adequate enforcement.
Raleigh, N.C., Apr 23, 2007 /PRNEWSWIRE/ Internet
bloggers maliciously publicizing personal identity information
including the victim’s Social Security number is emerging
as a major identity theft problem, and the information
is often culled from online public records.
From her Durham, NC home Lauranell “Nell” Burch publishes
a website where she and others offer complaints about
Lasik, the popular laser eye surgery. Recently Burch’s
website began showing the personal and financial information
of Glenn Hagele, director of the Council for Refractive
Surgery Quality Assurance (USAEyes.org).
“This is a CyberBullyation; an Internet hit job,”
complains Glenn Hagele, who founded the nonprofit USAEyes.org
in 1997. “I’ve had my Social Security number, bank account
numbers, credit card numbers, and even samples of my
signature publicized.”
Burch attained Hagele’s identity from public records
and court documents that had not redacted his private
information. For decades the practical obscurity of
documents buried in government archives kept abuse to
a minimum. Public documents including lawsuits, divorce,
bankruptcy, child support, and even traffic violations
may contain sensitive information. The recent availability
of public records over the Internet has renewed the
controversy between the public’s right to know and an
individual’s right to privacy. The line is further blurred
by the subtle difference between just obtaining a public
document and publicizing it to millions over the Internet,
exposing the victim to identity theft.
“What’s bizarre is that we had nothing to do with
Ms. Burch or her Lasik,” says Hagele. “She did not seek
our advice and did not use a Lasik doctor affiliated
with our organization.” Hagele’s concern extends beyond
his own financial identity. “Any advocate, anyone who
voices an opinion, any blogger, any identifiable group
can become the target of this kind of CyberBullyation.
I deal with laser eye surgery and I’ve been targeted.
How safe is someone who raises a major controversy?”
Internet publication of personal identity data has
become so problematic that Google, the world’s most
popular Internet search engine according to a 2006 Advertising
Age analysis, has dedicated a web page for victims to
report incidents. A Software & Information Industry
Association analysis identified service institutions,
especially Internet-based service institutions such
as USAEyes.org, as especially at risk.
Hagele contacted authorities seeking help in blocking
access to his identity information only to find them
unable or hesitant to act. “Legislation has not caught
up with the Internet,” says Hagele. A patchwork of local,
state, and national laws are often unclear.
Identity theft has topped the list of consumer complaints
to the US Federal Trade Commission for the last seven
consecutive years, constituting 36% of all FTC complaints
in 2006.
Hagele is meeting with lawmakers, urging them to
clarify and strengthen privacy law.
###
Contact:
Glenn Hagele
916-203-2442
glenn.hagele@usaeyes.org
Campaign Communications
919-420-0528
