FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Countrywide Asset Investigators--P974806 COUNTRYWIDE
ASSET INVESTIGATORS Monday, June 30, 1997 Secretary, Federal Trade Commission RE: Support of Self Regulation Dear Mr. Secretary: In response to the Commissions request for additional comments following the hearing held June 10, 1997, I as a California Licensed Private Investigator I am a regular user of public and non-public records. I resoundingly support the proposition of self regulation. The data obtained is beneficial in numerous ways, including the bringing together of families and long lost relatives. Our firm performs numerous investigation for major banking institutions. We locate individuals who have been named in trusts and cannot be found. Without these records, the job of locating these individuals by name would be near impossible. Privacy is always a concern. Each investigation must be handled with the utmost care for an individual’s privacy. Privacy protection CAN be managed through our industries’ self regulation of uses and distribution. As you know, our industry has stated a willingness and desires to self regulate. For the benefit of everyone, I ask that you support self regulation and work with the industry to successfully bring about policies and procedures that are TRULY beneficially for everyone. Sincerely, DSDavid Whittet |