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Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Hernando, MS 12/7/2009) More social security numbers could be at-risk.
This time, it's desoto county homeowners finding their personal information on-line.
Chancery Court Clerk Sluggo Davis admits, he's not thrilled with what his office puts on-line.
"I would not want mine out there," Davis said about his social security number.
From regular residents, to a state lawmaker, WREG On Your Side Investigators had no problems finding social security numbers on the county's website.
The numbers were on the documents when they were filed with the county, on there when it was scanned into the computer system., and now they're there when those records went on-line.
"That's why it's important that you caution your lawyer, your banker, that anything that's going to be public, leave your social security number off of it because of identity theft," said Davis.
But people we talked with admit, they never thought to check what's on-line under their names.
News that social security numbers were popping up during on-line searches, were an unwelcomed surprise.
"No way, people can do all kinds of things with your social security number," said James Jones of Hernando.
"In light of what's happening with the information being stolen by thieves and how they're using it now, obviously that's not a good practice for anyone," said Alan Sims, also of Hernando.
But Davis says there's not much he can do about social security numbers popping up on-line.
Unlike Tennessee, Davis says in Mississippi clerks don't have the power to black-out the information on-line without someone asking in person.
"I don't have time to call everybody and tell them you need to come down here and take it off," explained Davis.
Of the estimated half-million documents on-file with his office, Davis estimates only 10% or less contain social security numbers.
Because of that, Davis says the files will stay on-line.
"Common sense and good government may not go together, but common sense tells me you don't stop a train for 5-10%," said Davis.
In DeSoto County, you can request your social security number be taken off those on-line documents.
But that request must be made in person at the chancery court clerk's office.
- More social security numbers found on Mid South government-run websites
- DeSoto County Chancery Court Clerk admits issue upsets him
- Residents can ask for information to be removed
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Hernando, MS 12/7/2009) More social security numbers could be at-risk.
This time, it's desoto county homeowners finding their personal information on-line.
Chancery Court Clerk Sluggo Davis admits, he's not thrilled with what his office puts on-line.
"I would not want mine out there," Davis said about his social security number.
From regular residents, to a state lawmaker, WREG On Your Side Investigators had no problems finding social security numbers on the county's website.
The numbers were on the documents when they were filed with the county, on there when it was scanned into the computer system., and now they're there when those records went on-line.
"That's why it's important that you caution your lawyer, your banker, that anything that's going to be public, leave your social security number off of it because of identity theft," said Davis.
But people we talked with admit, they never thought to check what's on-line under their names.
News that social security numbers were popping up during on-line searches, were an unwelcomed surprise.
"No way, people can do all kinds of things with your social security number," said James Jones of Hernando.
"In light of what's happening with the information being stolen by thieves and how they're using it now, obviously that's not a good practice for anyone," said Alan Sims, also of Hernando.
But Davis says there's not much he can do about social security numbers popping up on-line.
Unlike Tennessee, Davis says in Mississippi clerks don't have the power to black-out the information on-line without someone asking in person.
"I don't have time to call everybody and tell them you need to come down here and take it off," explained Davis.
Of the estimated half-million documents on-file with his office, Davis estimates only 10% or less contain social security numbers.
Because of that, Davis says the files will stay on-line.
"Common sense and good government may not go together, but common sense tells me you don't stop a train for 5-10%," said Davis.
In DeSoto County, you can request your social security number be taken off those on-line documents.
But that request must be made in person at the chancery court clerk's office.
