Growing movement to remove Social Security numbers from online public record

[mandy]

It should come as little surprise that Social Security numbers are posted on the Internet. But, says Betty Ostergren, a former insurance claims supervisor in suburban Richmond, Va., who has spent years trolling for them, “people are always astounded” to learn that theirs is one of them.

Mrs. Ostergren, 57, has made a name for herself as a gadfly as she took on a lonely and sometimes frustrating mission to draw attention to the situation. With addresses, dates of birth and maiden names often associated with Social Security numbers, she said, they are a gift to data thieves...

full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/24/busine...1329973200&en=3a82da1eb14df57c&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[amy]

One by one, states and counties have started removing images of documents that contain Social Security numbers, or they are blocking out the numbers. Four states, including New York, have removed links to images of public documents containing Social Security numbers.

Why were they put online in the fist place?  Fucktards.

You can see if your social security number or credit card numbers have been compromised here:
https://www.stolenidsearch.com/

[BellisimaJ.]

Why were they put online in the fist place?  boinktards.

Personally, I think we need a new definition of what constitutes 'public information'. In an age of instant access, there is too much personal information available online to unscrupulous scum to use for nefarious purposes.

Just another frickin example of how little privacy we actually have.