Identity Theft:: Opt Out of Family Court Services Before it Happens to YOU!

By Lary Holland, published Mar 26, 2007
Published Content: 25  Total Views: 3,389  Favorited By: 5 CPs
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If poor service delivery wasn't enough of a reason to opt out of free Family Court Welfare Services, Title IV Part D programs and child support services, then how about saving a thousand or more dollars and being secured against identity theft? Child Support customers in at least three states have already experienced serious breaches in their personal information, including social security numbers being compromised and potentially handed over to hackers that might want to steal identities in the last few months alone.

In Colorado, a computer was stolen from a Colorado state contractor which contained over 1.4 million names of people that made child support payments in the state as well as nearly a million more names of newly hired employees anywhere in the state. Additionally, receivers of support had their information compromised as well. ("Privatization, Identity Theft, and Crony Capitalism" http://www.unbossed.com/index.php?itemid=1186)

In Nebraska, "a hacker broke into the child-support computer system run by the state Treasurer's office and may have obtained names, social security numbers and other information of 300,000 people and 9,000 employers." ("Hacker Breaks Into Nebraska Child-Support Database" FoxNews.Com, June 29, 2006)

In Vermont, a state computer containing names, social security numbers and bank account information for 70,000 vermont residents was hacked into by a remote user sometime before early December of 2006. ("Vermont Computer Hacked: 70,000 users at risk" Lock Down Your Identity January 30, 2007)

In California, the Department of Child Support Services improperly faxed a list of 1175 individuals, which contained their personal information, in error to an outside financial institution. (Press Release: California DCSS January 30, 2007)

Identity Theft:: Opt Out of Family Court Services Before it Happens to YOU!

Lary Holland is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about Title IV of the Social Security Act, Family Court Services, and legislation pertaining to parenting.

Credit: Lary Holland

Copyright: Lary Holland

Takeaways
  • In California, the Department of Child Support Services improperly faxed a list of 1175 individuals.
  • In Colorado, a computer was stolen which contained over 1.4 million names of child support payors.
  • In Vermont, a state computer containing names and social security numbers was stolen.
Did You Know?
Protecting your identity against theft begins with controlling who has access to your private information.
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