| Comment Number: | 531096-00270 |
| Received: | 9/5/2007 2:21:22 PM |
| Organization: | Benn & Associates |
| Commenter: | Jolynn Benn |
| State: | CA |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Private Sector Use of SSNs |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
As a licensed Private Investigator who has worked as such for over 18 years now, I am sending this comment in hopes that you will understand how imparative it is that our industry be able to have access to social securiy numberrs for legitimate investigation purposes. I am constantly taking cases and hearing from the public at how frustrated they are with law enforcements slow action and there lack of resources to follow up on viable leads in criminal cases. Social security numbers are the only way we can verify someone's identity to ensure that we are gatherig accurate information in order to assist in criminal investigations as well as civil fraud cases. As a result of recent laws passed related to privacy issues that were not well thought out as it relates to my industry, we already have one hand tied behind our back in conducting our investigations. While I am sure these laws are well intentioned, in the long run, and even the short run, they hinder the legitimate business of a Private Investigator. I urge you to allow licensed Private Investigators access to individuals social security numbers for legitimate investigations. The ramifications of relying on law enforcements resources alone are detrimental to our society. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Jolynn K. Benn BENN & ASSOCIATES