Legislation to End California’s Sale of Social Security Numbers

“Assemblyman Dave Jones last week revealed that a state-run web site had been selling access to the Social Security numbers of thousands of California consumers, a practice that began in 2004 and only ended this week when Jones raised objections. According to Jones this is ‘potentially the longest running government Internet breach in California’s history… ‘For the past 3 years, the state has been in the data broker business,” Jones said. ‘It has sold Social Security numbers for a mere $6 each to any member of the public with an Internet connection and a credit card. This is a gold mine for identity thieves.’… Jones discovered earlier this month that an Internet web site maintained by the Secretary of State’s office was selling public records containing the names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and sometimes the signatures of tens of thousands of Californians who have taken out secured loans. Though legal, selling this information to the general public could have enabled criminals to fraudulently secure credit cards in other individuals’ names, according to Jones.”