Posted: March 2004
Updated June 2009

By Beth Givens, Director
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Most guides on preventing identity theft focus on steps consumers can take, such as shredding their trash and protecting their SSN. But realistically, while these steps reduce the risk of becoming a victim, there is little individuals can do to actually prevent identity theft.

Comments of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and Consumers Union

Presented to the Interagency Meeting on Gramm-Leach-Bliley Short Form Notices
February 25, 2004

Re: Interagency Proposal to Consider Alternative Forms of Privacy  Notices under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 68 Fed. Reg. 75164 (Dec. 30, 2003)

Posted: By Karen Gottlieb, PhD, JD

gottlieb(at)courtconsultant.com

Presented in January 2004 at the International Workshop on WHOLES - A Multiple View of Individual Privacy in a Networked World, Sigtuna, Sweden.
Website:< http://www.sics.se/privacy/wholes2004/>

Introduction

Presentations to ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee
American Library Association
ALA Mid-Winter
San Diego, CA

Beth Givens, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Director
bethg(at)privacyrights.org
and
Lee Tien, Electronic Frontier Foundation Staff Attorney
tien(at)eff.org

General Issues:

Bill started a temp-to-permanent job and was asked to perform a fingerprint check. Two weeks later, he was let go because of an arrest in 1990 for theft. He called the courthouse to check out for the criminal record, but there was no information on file.

Bill's name has been changed to protect his privacy.

The World Privacy Forum and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse have become aware of a nationwide job scam currently in action. We are advising job seekers to avoid any response to job ads coming from Macrocommerce Intersales and to be aware of the high potential for financial fraud and /or identity theft if they have already responded to job ads from this company.

Issued by:

Reprinted with permission of Clarity, No. 50, Nov. 2003.

By Mark Hochhauser
Psychologist; consultant on document readability and writing style

2003 HIPAA privacy notices

Comments Submitted by:
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
Consumer Action
PrivacyActivism

Submitted October 13, 2004 to:

Ted, behind in paying the interest on his loan, was called by a supervisor of the company while he was out. A friend answered and was told many details about the loan (loan amount, amount behind in payment, intentions to take legal action, etc.). When he questioned the company about it, they didn't offer any type of restitution for causing him embarrassment by letting others know that he had been in a bad financial situation.

Ted's name has been changed to protect his privacy.