Comments of The Department of the Treasury United States Secret Service Concerning Data Base Workshop - P974806 April 15,1997 Mr. Donald Clark Dear Mr. Clark: Reference is made to the Federal Register, dated March 6, 1997, regarding the use of information contained in commercial data bases: Data Base Workshop Request to Participate, P974806. The United States Secret Service is interested in participating in Federal Trade Commission's Workshop entitled, "Session One: Computerized Data Bases Containing Sensitive Consumer Identifying Information," scheduled for June 10, 1997. Special Agent Christopher Panzera, Financial Crimes Division and a to be determined member of the Secret Service's Investigative Support Division are available to participate in this workshop if this Service is selected. He can be contacted at telephone number 202/435-5850. Sincerely, Michael C. Stenger Michael C. Stenger DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY April 15,1997 Mr. Donald Clark Dear Mr. Clark: Reference is made to the Federal Register, dated March 6, 1997, requesting comments regarding the use of information contained in commercial databases. The United States Secret Service currently utilizes twelve on-line commercial databases, making more than 64,000 database searches a year for field agents in furtherance of their investigations. These databases are all available to the public and obtain their information through a variety of sources including, but not limited to:
As a Federal Law Enforcement Agency, the Secret Service is prohibited from accessing a full credit history on individuals from credit bureaus without a subpoena, except in the case of applicants who sign a written consent form. The Secret Service uses the information provided by the databases in order to:
Specific answers to questions asked in the register are included in the following pages. Sincerely, Michael C. Stenger Michael C. Stenger Attachments Data Base Study - Comment, P974806
What is the source of the information in the database? Answer: Commercial data bases utilized by the Secret Service obtain their information from a variety of sources including, but not limited to: mailing lists, telephone books, computer tapes from court records, newspapers, motor vehicle departments, etc. Question 1.4 What information is currently used to identify individuals? Answer: The Secret Service uses names, dates of birth, places of birth, social security numbers, current and previous addresses in order to identify and disqualify individuals in an investigation. Question 1.9 What are the uses of the information in the data bases? Are there beneficial uses of the information in these data bases? Answer: From a law enforcement perspective, the various data bases utilized by the Secret Service have proven very valuable and have saved numerous hours of the field agents time in both developing new investigative leads and correcting false information. Question 1.25 Is the collection, compilation, sale, and use of this information subject to any federal laws or regulations? Answer: Any information gathered by federal or state law enforcement organizations is subject to limitations imposed by the Federal Privacy Act. Question 1.30 Has technology evolved that could address concerns raised by the collection, compilation, sale, and use of sensitive consumer identifying information? Answer: Although this question is best answered by the credit industry, it is our understanding that credit bureaus give consumers the ability to review their credit report which will show if their credit information has been accessed. However, through the use of anonymous mailers and other like technology, the consumer is unlikely to know the identity of the "end user" of his personal information. |