From: monwel@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (douglas.w.monroe)
Subject: "Privacy for Sale" and information
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 13:19:07 GMT
Keywords: databanks, marketing, credit



I have just finished reading a book titled "Privacy for Sale" by
Jeffrey Rothfeder Simon & Schuster 1992 ISBN 0-671-73492-X
regarding the demise of privacy in the age of the computer. The
ease with which personal finance, medical histories, credit, etc.
information is obtained, by practically anyone with the time and
or money to find out, is truly alarming. The lack of protection by
the laws of this country are perhaps even more alarming.

While the author does a good job of narrating the abuses of private
information and introductions of the people and organizations who
profit from our personal tidbits, he misses the mark when it comes
to instructing people on what to do to protect themselves from such
abusers. Many organizations are mentioned but no addresses or phone 
numbers are given. Mr. Rothfeder, at the end of the book, gives us 
some helpful but lacking advice. In an effort to expound on his
advice I have put together some additional information which I
thought might be helful to those interested in inquiring about the
quality and quantity of information held on you personally. I would
whole heartedly recommend the book for all consumers to read and
use this information to protect yourself in the abscence of
governmental protection against data abuse.

Below paraphased from pages 207-208 (without permission)
with my comments added:

--> Get a copy of your credit report and check it for inaccuracies
and evidence of unauthorized snoopers.


TRW
P.O. Box 2350
Chatsworth, California 91313-2350
Cost: 1 free report per year
Procedure: In writing only
Phone:(800) 392-1122 

Equifax 
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA  30374-0241.  FAX request to: (404) 612-2668
Cost:$8.00 (Maryland +$5.00, ME & MT +$3.00)
Procedure: Write or fax
Phone:(800) 685-1111

Trans-Union
25249 Country Club Blvd,
P.O.Box 7000, North Olmsted OH 44070.
Cost: ?
Procedure: ? I presume in writing
Phone:(216) 779-7200

All must have the following information to respond to your
request--

  1. Full name including middle initial
  2. Spouse name,  (if you have one.)
  3. Home address.
  4. Year of Birth.
  5. Social Security Number (They must have this)
  6. Verification of your address (copy of Driv. license or a bill with
     the address clearly indicated).

-->Don't share personal information with anyone who does not have
the right to see it. Don't write SS# or phone #, address, credit
card numbers if it is not appropriate to do so. Don't provide this
info over the phone to unknown callers.

no argument here.


--->If you don't want junk mail notify credit reporters, credit
grantors, and the Direct Marketing Assoc. that you would like to
be removed from their mailing lists.

See addresses above for credit reporters, write to your credit card
providers, and Direct Marketing Assoc. 11 West 42nd St. NY, NY
10163-3861. Also ask to be removed from the telephone preferences
list while you're at it.


---> Strike back when somebody has invaded your privacy. Notify the
offending party that you're outraged and won't do business anymore.
Tell the tale to anyone with media power--Congressmen, Bankers
Assoc., AMA, FTC, BBB, and newspapers.

---> Notify licensing officials if you learn the a private
investigator has inappropriately gained information about you.

A few more points mentioned:
-->The Physicians Computer Network in Laurence Harbor, NJ is providing 
free PC's to many physicians. PCN requires that they always be
connected to the network so they can "scour the patient records of
the M.D.s looking for interesting tidbits, and pull data for
marketing lists" Page 193 

Ask your physician if she/he subscribes to this network and avoid
them if they do. 

-->The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a vast databank
containing the summaries of health conditions for more than 12
million Americans. Insurance underwriters scan MIB files to decide
how much to charge for a policy, or whether to even issue the
policy. Page 184

Obviously, inaccurate data can be extremely harmful. Call MIB to
get a form to request that they disclose your medical records to
you (or your physician) not that much can be done to correct errors

Medical Information Bureau
PO Box 105
Essex Station
Boston MA  02112
617 426-3660 follow instructions on voice mail.


Two more things:

Write to the FBI to inquire about National Crime Information Center
(NCIC) and Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) records they might be
maintaining on you.

Federal Bureau of Investigation 
F.O.I.P.A Section		(Freedom of Inf./Privacy Act)
J.Edgar Hoover Bldg
9th and E Streets NW
Washington, DC  20535
Phone 202 324-5520
Procedure: Provide Full Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Address
           Request must be signed *and* notarized!

Go to your local library or buy the book, read it, then
WRITE YOUR CONGRESSPERSON! tell them you are appalled
at the lack of data privacy in America. Tell them you demand that
they support legislation such as the proposed Data Protection Board 
(not yet out of committee) to protect us from information abusers! 

Disclaimer: no connection whatsoever with the author of the
referenced book.
-- 
                                                          Doug Monroe
                   				       dwm@pruxl.att.com
  						 or   monwel@cbnewsk.att.com