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Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Jackson, MS 12/08/2009) Tonight an On Your Side Investigation is sparking calls for change.
One day after we exposed thousands of social security numbers listed on a website run by DeSoto County, Mississippi State Senator Merle Flowers began work to change the way state law deals with social security numbers.
"It's our understanding that there are significant loopholes that need to be addressed," said Flowers from the state capitol in Jackson.
During Monday's WREG On Your Side Investigation, Flowers learned an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 social security numbers are posted on DeSoto County's public records website.
"I sincerely appreciate News Channel 3 researching this issue for us, and bringing it to the forefront," said Flowers. "Hopefully this will prevent the 2.8 million citizens of Mississippi from having their identity stolen."
Unlike Tennessee, which changed its law last summer, clerks in Mississippi do not have the power to black-out social security numbers on their own, before posting a document on-line.
DeSoto County Chancery Court Clerk Sluggo Davis says that means if the information is on the original document, it's available for all to see on the internet.
"I think it's a bad thing," admitted Davis Monday. "(But) We read instruments that are brought in to us, as they are brought in to us. We do not change any instrument and will not start changing any instrument."
Flowers met with staffers this morning to look at changing state law, and finding a balance between the public's right-to-know and what the senator worries is a process that aides identity thieves.
"While we are in favor of the public access to open records, there is an expectation of privacy of social security numbers within public documents," said Flowers.
The Mississippi State Senate returns to session in January.
Flowers says he's hoping to get this issue taken care of, in his words, "very quickly."
- DeSoto County lawmaker calls for changes in state law
- County Chancery Clerk estimates 25,000 to 50,000 documents filed containing social security numbers
- Sen. Merle Flowers believes clerks need power to black-out social security numbers to protect people from identity theft
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Jackson, MS 12/08/2009) Tonight an On Your Side Investigation is sparking calls for change.
One day after we exposed thousands of social security numbers listed on a website run by DeSoto County, Mississippi State Senator Merle Flowers began work to change the way state law deals with social security numbers.
"It's our understanding that there are significant loopholes that need to be addressed," said Flowers from the state capitol in Jackson.
During Monday's WREG On Your Side Investigation, Flowers learned an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 social security numbers are posted on DeSoto County's public records website.
"I sincerely appreciate News Channel 3 researching this issue for us, and bringing it to the forefront," said Flowers. "Hopefully this will prevent the 2.8 million citizens of Mississippi from having their identity stolen."
Unlike Tennessee, which changed its law last summer, clerks in Mississippi do not have the power to black-out social security numbers on their own, before posting a document on-line.
DeSoto County Chancery Court Clerk Sluggo Davis says that means if the information is on the original document, it's available for all to see on the internet.
"I think it's a bad thing," admitted Davis Monday. "(But) We read instruments that are brought in to us, as they are brought in to us. We do not change any instrument and will not start changing any instrument."
Flowers met with staffers this morning to look at changing state law, and finding a balance between the public's right-to-know and what the senator worries is a process that aides identity thieves.
"While we are in favor of the public access to open records, there is an expectation of privacy of social security numbers within public documents," said Flowers.
The Mississippi State Senate returns to session in January.
Flowers says he's hoping to get this issue taken care of, in his words, "very quickly."
