sigh--should I pursue this or let it go?personal data on the web

[bae]

Generally it only takes 3 data points to narrow down a database of 350,000,000 people to one individual. Name, DOB and partial SS# being the most efficient.
It's one thing to provide two of those three to a trusted individual or organization, it's quite another to have them present it to the world.

I only need to get name, an address, and a date of birth when I am taking down patient info on a call, and that's sufficient for us to locate medical records, and for our billing agency to figure out how to extract funds from them if necessary. We don't even bother with SS or DL info or anything.

[Alan]

I only need to get name, an address, and a date of birth when I am taking down patient info on a call, and that's sufficient for us to locate medical records, and for our billing agency to figure out how to extract funds from them if necessary. We don't even bother with SS or DL info or anything.

Yes, it's even easier if you have access to the right database. My example references the average Joe with access to the internet, those three data points will lead you to a specific individual.

[iris lilies]

Today this was resolved. It took 8 weeks for the file and url to be removed because our neighborhood organization, run by volunteers, screws up now and then.

Data still shows in a Google search but the hotlink to the file doesn't work because the file is gone. I will live with this.

[kib]

... I feel like identity theft is the latest fear mongering. I know it happens, quite often. Nevertheless, I'm tired of being told to be worried, focused on something other than what I'm actually trying to focus on, and pro-active doing and buying things that eat up my life energy. You may well be right about IL's situation. I was on the fence for a while but finally came down on the side of non-action. If anything, I'd say pursue it because once the seed of anxiety is sown, it never goes away.

[jp1]

And really, it should take IT guy roughly 30 seconds to take this down. Maybe IL should paraphrase Ronald Reagan, "IT guy, TAKE DOWN THAT FILE!"

[kib]

But that's kinda my point. This stuff is already out there, about nearly all of us. Does chasing the muti-headed hydra actually matter any more?

[jp1]

No, getting this one database offline won't be the final and ultimate solution in preventing IL from having an identity theft, but reducing one's exposure even just a little bit isn't a bad thing. Especially since it's something where she actually knows the person who can solve the issue, as opposed to trying to get some big faceless corporation to fix a problem like this.

[Williamsmith]

. Find out the IT guys private information and post it on your Facebook......then send him a birthday card.

[iris lilies]

. Find out the IT guys private information and post it on your Facebook......then send him a birthday card.

Well, the date of birth of this IT guy is ALSO on this same list. He had a bed in the community garden as well.

[Williamsmith]

A registered letter from an attorney explaining why you wish to have it removed and outlining a possible uncomfortable for him consequence of failure to respond.