Are government agencies helping identity thieves get their hands on our personal information?

September 4, 12:57 PMIdentity Theft ExaminerJoe Campana

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  Ellen Meany/Copyright 2009 Isthmus Publishing Co., Inc. 

This headline appeared as the cover story in a recent issue of Isthmus, an alternative weekly newspaper published in Madison, Wisconsin. Isthmus, known for in-depth and investigative articles, covers both liberal and conservative views and prides itself on taking on sacred cows. The article, written by Josh Wimmer, reports how local governments mishandle our personal information, which increases consumer risks to identity theft. Few reporters have been willing to investigate or address this critical subject.

Federal and state governments have been warning Americans to protect their Social Security Numbers and other personal information. Yet, local governments violate the mantra by allowing personally identifiable information to be accessible to all through their “dot gov” websites (see video). Any business that did the same would be subject to civil and criminal legal prosecution under multiple federal and state laws and consumers would persecute them for failure to protect sensitive information.

Despite state and federal government warnings aimed at local governments, most bureaucrats continue to defend the negligent practice of allowing anonymous online access to the most sensitive consumer information.

Consumers and government officials must be educated on the dangers of these risky practices. Professional and petty thieves know this information is there. Consumers can bet the criminals use their information to commit identity theft, fraud, harassment and privacy violations.

Change is required. Write to your local government officials, for example city and county government, and your state representatives and senators and ask for change, ask them to use common sense and protect your most valuable asset, you.