Internet Progress Opens Door for ID Theft
“Just Google it” is the mantra of today’s electronic generation. The information highway is quickly traversed, and the amount of information grows daily. Google has declared that their intent is to be the main source of data for generations to come, but with the compiling of all this data also arrives the new potential for Identity theft and fraud.
“To Whom it May Concern…”
This was made glaringly apparent in a Letter to Judge Rosenthal from PublicResource.org, which stated that over 1,718 instances of personal identifying information had been discovered in records which had been released for inclusion in Google’s public domain. The 50 years’ worth of Courts of Appeals files from the Department of Immigration and Naturalization contained many instances of ‘Alien Numbers’ (Green Card identifying numbers) being commonly used as docket numbers, especially on older cases and particularly in the Ninth Circuit. In some cases even Social Security Numbers had been used, both in published opinions and appellant briefs.
Sometimes Even the Government Makes Mistakes
The information had not been properly redacted, and had been made available through Google on the internet. The situation was revealed when an individual contacted PublicResource.org stating that their Alien Number had been published on the internet. Further investigation revealed the problem, and steps were taken immediately to scramble the identifiers to prevent ID theft and fraud.
This case simply highlights the fact that anywhere your information is submitted or put on record may not be safe. The courts are required to redact all information that could be used as identification from their records before releasing them and investigations as to why this was not done have been recommended.
Check on Your Own Information Regularly
Be alert! Pay attention to credit reports, your mail and phone calls requesting information. Never give out your information unless it is a mandatory requirement, and make sure you know what a true mandatory requirement is. Don’t simply expect your information to be safe because a government agency requests it - stay vigilant for any activity that seems suspicious.
Google yourself once in a while, and see what comes up. Yeah, I just told you to Google yourself. Welcome to the brave new world!
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