FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Cal-West Claims/Investigations--P974806
June 30, 1997 Secretary, Federal Trade Commission RE: Support of Self-Regulation Dear Mr. Secretary: We understand that your Commission is looking for additional comments following your hearings of June 10, 1997. I as a licensed private investigator and licensed independent claims adjuster regularly use public and non-profit records in my business and support the proposition of self-regulation. The data that we regularly access and use in our reports to clients which are predominantly attorneys and insurance companies has a beneficial use resolving claims and locating witnesses and insureds. It is important that the flow of information that we have available to us continue. This flow of information also allows us to once in a while assist the public who does not have the resources to handle the problems they are faced with. They cannot turn to police departments or other public agencies for assistance, and they have to turn to our industry. Further regulation would create additional barriers to us, which would almost totally eliminate our ability to assist the public. The use of this information helps to prevent fraud and solve fraud crimes and also helps other people in our industry bring families together. Our industry requires us to keep information confidential and to maintain a complete accurate file on all work done. We believe that our industry can self-regulate. We also are regulated by State law, and our industry has a willingness to self-regulate. We feel that we must have the opportunity to continue to self-regulate and welcome the government's help in enforcing the rules through our industry associations. I ask that you support self-regulation and work within the industry to successfully bring about policies and procedures that we can all live with in our society. If the government regulates to too great an extent, our industry will shrink, which will mean there will be a number of people out of work throughout the country.
EAL/gw CA INV. LIC. #PI 9717 CA ADJ. LIC. #2802526 AZ INV. LIC. #9307022 AZ ADJ. LIC. #15829 |