FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Texas Association of Licensed Investigators--P974806

Texas Association of Licensed Investigators
Post Office Box 140652 - Austin, Texas 78714-0652

Mr. Robert Pitofsky, Chairman
Federal Trade Commission
Room H-159
Sixth & Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20580

BY FACSIMILE: 202-326-2396

Re:Support of Self Regulation

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am a licensed Private Investigator, and the President of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators. As an Investigator, I am a regular user of public and non-public records, such as credit headers, in the performance of my job. I am in support of the proposition of self-regulation by the records providers.

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 they are faced with, to defend itself without looking to government for help. Further, regulation would create additional barriers that today save lives, prevent fraud and bring 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 marketplace. To be required to advise the targets of our investigations of our inquiries, or permit them to opt out of database sources, would be death of our investigative industry. It would facilitate fraud in many instances.

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 government’s help in enforcing the miles, through our efforts and the industry’s professional 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,

Karen Hewitt

Karen Hewitt
President

cc:   Congressman Richard “Dick” Armey
       Room 301
       Cannon House Office Building
       Washington, DC 20515

1997-98 Board of Directors