Oops! Texas exposes individuals' information

Here's a blurb from txsafeguard.org -

Incident Background

The Comptroller’s office recently identified the exposure of three data files that contained individuals’ personal information. There is no information at this time that the personal information has been misused in any way.

The data files were provided to the Comptroller’s office by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). They included information such as names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers and some driver’s license numbers. (cont)

Additional information:

Press release: http://txsafeguard.org/110411-security.php
Ars Technica article discussing the incident: http://tinyurl.com/3w6kxvm

Phone message scam

I just saw this on the KNTU web site; Denton police are warning that there is a automated message scam warning people that their access to accounts at Point Bank will be shut off unless they call an 800 number.

Details: http://www.kntu.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1870&Itemid=1

DPL Program on Identity theft

Identity Theft class set at Dallas Central Library

Do you hand your credit card to servers at restaurants? Do you supplypersonal information over the Internet? Do you keep your SocialSecurity number in your wallet or purse? Can you be sure data securityis good at companies that have your information?

Learn from Carolyn Wright, Independent Associate for a national legalservices company, how to minimize the risk of having your identitystolen, and how to respond if you suspect you've been victimized.

This free class will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 in the HamonTraining Room, 5th Floor Central Library. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling (214) 670-1608.

Watch those receipts

Federal Law Requires All Businesses to Truncate Credit Card Information on Receipts
BeSpacific.com, Dec. 14, 2007.

Links to consumer information about credit card information and fighting identity theft.

Be extra safe - keep all of your receipts and shred them with a good cross-cut shredder. Just make sure you don't need the receipt for returns, rebates, etc. before shredding.

Public records on the web

Interesting column in the Wall Street Journal Online today (free access).

REAL TIME By JASON FRY

Wall Street Journal Online
When Public Records Are Too Public

Open Records Are an Established Tradition, But Does Internet Access Call for a Change?
June 25, 2007

The Web wasn't created to appeal to our sense of voyeurism. It just feels that way sometimes. cont.

Update on SSN Bill

"A bill that would allow individuals to ask that their Social Security numbers be kept private on documents maintained by Texas' 254 county clerks is awaiting a signature from Gov. Rick Perry after it blazed through both chambers of the Texas Legislature.

It took House Bill 2061 a little more than three weeks to land on the governor's desk."

Read the entire article at: http://www.topix.net/content/kri/2486725776317661387310563293774081014344

Texas bill passed to release SSNs

I saw this on The Virtual Chase this morning.

News story from Fort Bend Now:

Bill Declaring Social Security Numbers Not Confidential Awaits Gov's Signature
by Bob Dunn, Mar 19, 2007, 04 33 pm
Fort Bend Now

A bill changing the Texas Public Information Act and declaring that Social Security numbers not be considered confidential has passed the Texas Senate and is awaiting Gov. Rick Perry’s signature.

Voted on Monday under the name HB 2061, wording in the bill was left identical to the bill the Texas House passed unanimously on March 6.

The bill is HB 2061 (80 R). Here's a blurb from TLO:

Bill: HB 2061 Legislative Session: 80(R)
Last Action: 03/19/2007
S Passed Caption Version: Senate Committee Report

Caption Text: Relating to the acquisition or disclosure of the social security number of a living person by a governmental body, including by a district or county clerk.

Previous Lex Scripta posts:

• More on SSN redaction
• Texas Courts to Remove SSNs

ID theft

We had a very good speaker from the Secret Service today at the general meeting. One quick takeaway from the meeting - for additional details about reporting ID theft, go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ for information, forms, etc.