Testimony of Beth Givens, Director, to California Legislature Joint Task Force on Personal Information and Privacy

Senator Steve Peace, Chair

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this Advisory Committee and to make a presentation this morning.

Speech by Beth Givens, PRC Director

Privacy and Customer Service in the Electronic Age:
Internet Access to the Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement
San Jose, CA 

Comments submitted by:
Michael Shames, Esq.
Barry Fraser, Esq.
of UCAN

I. Introduction

Fred's son (age 10) received a pre-approved credit offer in the mail. Fred traced the offer back to the national athletic organization that oversees the swimming program in which his son participated. Angered that the organization would release the names and addresses of its young participants, he took his son out of the swimming program.

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

Free Credit Reports to End

The only credit reporting bureau to offer free credit reports to consumers will halt this practice March 1, 1997.

Comments on the Availability of Sensitive Information about Consumers and Its Possible Use for Financial Fraud

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Docket No. R-0953

Recent amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, signed into law on September 30, 1996, directed the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board to conduct a study on the availability of sensitive identification information about consumers and the possible use of such information for financial fraud.

Mike's mail was sent to New Jersey instead of his California address when someone filled out a U.S. Postal Service change of address card in his name. He lost $4,500 on one credit card and $6,000 on another as a result of this. He complained to the Post Office, but hasn't heard back from them.

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

Jake was recently traveling in Mexico. While parked outside a hotel, all his documents were stolen from his briefcase including his passport, checks for four checking accounts, 35 credit cards and his Social Security card. His camera, laptop and cellular phone were also in the briefcase, but were not stolen.

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

The Sacramento Police Department called Frida to tell her that someone made a fake driver's license using her name. A large drugstore chain had tossed old job applicants into the trash without shredding them. Someone found and used them to made fake IDs. Unable to write checks for a time because the fake ID had used her real driver's license number, Frida was eventually able to mostly clear her name with SCAN (check verification company).

By Beth Givens, PRC Director