FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning J. W. Strelec Investigations--P974806 J. W. STRELEC
INVESTIGATIONS
July 10, 1997 PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Robert Pitofsky, Chairman, Federal Trade
Commission Re:Support of Self Regulation Dear Mr. Chairman, In response to the Commission's request for additional comments following the hearings held June 10, 1997, I, Jim Strelec DBA J. W. Strelec Investigations, as a licensed investigator and insurance adjustor, am a regular user of public and non-public records (such as credit headers), and support the proposition of self-regulation. The data we regularly access and use in our reports to clients has a beneficial use and need in society. It is important that a free flow of information be available to support commerce and our judicial system. it also allows the public, who does not have the resources to manage all of the problems it is faced with, to defend itself without looking to government for help. Further, regulation would create additional barriers to use that information to save lives, prevent fraud and bring families together. We are required to keep this information confidential and maintain a high degree of accuracy in our reports due to laws and the test of the courts and marketplace. To have the targets of our investigations be able to browse through our inquiries and data, or opt out of databases whether private and public, would be the death of our industry and freedom. The prevention of wrongdoing and protection of fraud are the real tests of the use of data. Privacy protection can be managed through our industry's self-regulation of users and distribution. Our industry has stated a willingness and desire to self-regulate. This industry must have the opportunity to self-regulate and welcomes the government's help in enforcing the rules, through our efforts and the industry's associations. I ask that you support self-regulation and work with the industry to successfully bring about policies and procedures that we can all live with in a free society. Respectfully Submitted, Jim StrelecJIM STRELEC Enclosures cc:U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
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