Corporate Data Security: Identity Theft

About two years ago - so really very recently - a local health care provider sent me a bill summary with my social security number listed above my name and address on the outside of the envelope. Although it was not labeled social security number, no one could miss it. I called the provider and they never did that again, but the experience left me cold. It was especially bothersome because the provider acted as if I had a problem, not them.

I had just gone through several months of watching a young colleague, whose identity had been stolen, restore her credit and so forth. She had only recently come to work with me and had already invested several months in trying to work out all of the details.

She was talking to six police agencies, corporate entities, and government offices. She estimated that to clear all of the backlash from her identity being stolen took her over 250 hours. So, it's a problem for both employees and employers. Most of these agencies are not open evenings and weekends, for instance. The stress of addressing the identity theft is also huge.

Take a look at guest author, Troy Allen’s suggestions for protecting your personnel records: Corporate Data Security: Identity Theft.

In Michigan, and in many other states, social security number privacy legislation has been enacted to protect people from identity theft. As an employer, I don't even collect social security numbers from applicants until I have offered them a job. But, none of these security measures will protect you from idiots who think it's okay to put your social security number on the outside of an envelope.