| Comment Number: | 531096-00133 |
| Received: | 8/27/2007 9:24:14 AM |
| Organization: | American Investigators, Inc. |
| Commenter: | Tom Parker |
| State: | MI |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Private Sector Use of SSNs |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
As a licensed private investigator our firm regularly makes use of positive identification through SSN's. It is not only a useful means to locate or verify the identity of someone that may be involved in improper behavior, but equally important is to verify that the correct person is not. Private investigators are frequently called upon to solve or prevent losses in the corporate sector, locate missing children or deadbeat dads and even fugitives that are fleeing the judicial system. There is a higher standard of ethics, respect for privacy and understanding of confidentially among licensed private investigators; in fact this is inherent in what we do. We are mischaracterized by hollywood, and what is seen on TV. We take great precautions to remain covert in most of what we do. What we do is held in strict confidence, just by its nature, not to mention that most states have laws requiring it. It concerns me that good intentioned legislation will once again tie the hands of those that can help victims of ill intentioned criminals. So often those in decision making positions have a perception that only governemnt can have "information" or should be there to help. In this ever increasingly difficult society, there has never been a more important time to allow responsible advocates of good and justice, to have the tools to do their job properly. I implore you not to initiate laws that will tie the hands of those that will operate responsibly and are a significant help to society; it will only serve to open the door to the dishonest, to be undetected.