FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Ray, Mc Christian & Jeans--P974806
By Facsimile a Regular Mail July 9, 1997 Mr. Robert Pitofsky, Chairman RE:SUPPORT OF SELF REGULATION Dear Mr. Chairman: In response to the Commissions request for additional comments following the hearings held on June 10, 1997, I am, in the capacity of Chief Investigator / Security Consultant for the firm, a regular user of public and non-public records and support the proposition of self regulation. The data we regularly access and use in our investigations, consultations, and in our reports to our clients has a beneficial use and need in our society. It also allows the public, who does not have the resources to manage all of the problems they are faced with, to defend itself without looking to the government entities for help. Further, regulation would create additional barriers to use said data that today saves lives, prevents fraud, assists in civil litigation, and brings families together. We are required to keep the information confidential and maintain a high degree of accuracy in our reports due to law and the test of the courts and the marketplace. To have the targets of our investigation know of and browse around in our inquiries and data, or opt out of databases that are private and public, would be the death of our industry and freedom. The prevention of wrongdoing and protection against fraud are real tests of the use of said data. Privacy protection can be managed through our industry's self-regulation of uses 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 governments'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, JM OrtegaJesus M. Ortega, Jr., CFE cc:Jeffry H. Ray,
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