# Is Your Personal Identity Info Safe?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-personal-identity-info-safe/292289>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 28, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-personal-identity-info-safe/292289 "2005-02-28T13:36:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-personal-identity-info-safe/292289/1 "2005-02-28T13:36:42Z")

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It was revealed recently, Feb. 25th, that BOA had “lost” and possible theft of the private credit card information for at least 1.2 M federal accounts.

Computer tapes with the data were being moved by air common carrier cross-country. Just diasappeared like routine losses during baggage handling and transfers. It is to be noted that the loss occurred in December about two months ago and the loss is just now being reported.

Such sensitive data should have at least been shipped via FedEx or similar service if not hand carried by special courier!

ChoicePoint, a data-collection outfit, was scammed out of private identity records of more that 145,000 individuals. Theft occurred in October and first reported last month. One person charged, got 16 months.

[Stealing our privacy and ruining lives](http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43070)

Why not insist that Congress require that all those dealing with personal identity information protect it? Such data is as valuable as the potential loss that misuse can result in.

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**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-personal-identity-info-safe/292289/2 "2005-02-28T13:45:56Z")

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You sure this isn’t a GD or Pitt thread?

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-personal-identity-info-safe/292289/3 "2005-02-28T13:53:16Z")

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It is expected that legislation will be passed this year regarding how personal info is cared for. Look for a bill that covers the storage, transport, access and back up plans.

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**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-personal-identity-info-safe/292289/4 "2005-02-28T14:07:01Z")

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General Questions is for question with factual answers. There is no General Question here.

Feel free to start a thread in the Pit or Great Debates.

This is closed.

**DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator