Contact WA State Gov to Remove SSN From Driver's License Database!!
News/Current Events News
Source: South County Journal
Published: 9/29/00 Author: Dean A. Radford, Journal Reporter
Posted on 09/30/2000 09:56:25 PDT by SW6906
Dozens of drivers worried about their Social Security numbers being
misused or falling into the wrong hands
e-mailed the state Department of Licensing yesterday, asking that the
numbers be removed from the
department's database.
For more than a decade the state has collected the numbers on a
voluntary basis, although many residents say
they didn't know they had a choice.
Starting Monday, the state must collect all Social Security numbers to
comply with a federal law designed to
help identify parents who are behind in their child-support payments.
``I think it's horrible,'' said William Moose of Bellevue, who e-mailed
his request. ``The state can't be trusted.''
The state set up the e-mail address late Tuesday to give people a quick
way to have their numbers removed.
The state had received about 130 requests via e-mail through the end of
business yesterday.
Those concerned with privacy issues also can mail their requests to the
state licensing department. Requests
must be postmarked by 12:01 a.m. Sunday, the same deadline for e-mailed
requests.
Spokesman Mark Varadian said the department did not have an estimate of
how many requests would be
made, but he noted that about 80 percent of drivers provided the number
voluntarily. ``My assumption is that if
they didn't want it (the Social Security number) in the system they
wouldn't have given it.''
Of the 130 or so requests, the state didn't have the Social Security
numbers for several and denied the requests
of those with commercial drivers licenses.
William Sheehan of Mill Creek, a computer network engineer, cranked up
his computer first thing yesterday
morning to send in his request. ``I understand how little privacy we
have,'' he said.
He heard back in about 30 minutes that his request had been granted.
``For a government agency that's
impressive,'' he said.
``The Social Security number is the golden key to everyone's
information,'' he said. Like others, he's not
convinced government can be trusted to protect this valuable number. But
state officials say they jealously guard
the numbers. The numbers also won't appear on the license.
Floyd Palensky of Enumclaw, who is mailing his request, says he didn't
shirk his parental duties and wonders
why he should be penalized now so the state can go after those who do.
``I have taken care of my obligations as far as taking care of my
family,'' he said. ``To me it's just like asking the
fox to guard the chicken coop.''
Palensky worries the information will fall into the wrong hands. So does
Cheryl Myers of Auburn, who was
busy yesterday doing interviews and fielding questions from friends
after telling her story in the South County
Journal.
She says the state is branding citizens as potential criminals by
collecting the numbers. At a minimum she wants
the number deleted once it is cross-referenced with DSHS files.
``Your right to due process is being sidestepped here,'' she said. ``You
are being viewed as a potential
deadbeat parent until you let them clear you of any wrongdoing. This
isn't right.''
Dean Radford can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or
253-872-6719.
* * *
HOW TO TAKE YOUR NUMBER OUT OF DATABASE
People can ask the state Department of Licensing to remove their Social
Security number from the department's
database by e-mail or by mail. All requests must be postmarked by 12:01
a.m. Sunday. The request must
include the person's first, middle and last name, date of birth and
driver's license number.
The e-mail address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] The mailing address is Department
of Licensing, P.O. Box 9030,
Olympia WA, 98507-9030, ATTN: Driver Responsibility Section.
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