I wonder if anybody can help me (privacy issue)

[lcordero2]

I just called the bronx honda dealership to find out how exactly they got a hold of my information. They told me that they got my info through the DMV. They said that it was public information. Now I see exactly how identity theft occurs. Is anybody aware if there is a phone number to call at the DMV in order to opt out?

[Stephanie]

1. try calling 311

you can ask them - but I think your license & registration as well as your voter registration is public record

[Lerkfish]

2. not sure, but I think license and registration are NOT public record

remember the stalker that shot the star of "my sister sam"?
He found her address from the DMV records. After that, they made them nonpublic to protect people. Even newspapers have to issue a FOIA request to get them

at least that's my understanding.

If a car dealer has your DMV information, I'd say it should be investigated.

[Stephanie]

3. here's what I found at the DMV site:

http://www.nysdmv.com/abstract.htm

Important Information about Privacy and Access to DMV Records

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) restricts access to DMV records that contain personal information. For example, the DPPA restricts:

* the use of a vehicle plate number or a vehicle identification number to search for the name of a vehicle owner,
* the use of the name of a driver to find the mailing address or the residence of the driver, and
* a search for the names and the addresses of the previous owners of a vehicle.

You must have a DPPA permissible use to request DMV records that contain personal information. Personal information includes name, address, or Client ID Number (Driver License Number). You must certify that you have a permissible use when you request records that contain personal information. You must complete the certification section on the form that you use to request the record. Make sure that you read the FAQs about the DPPA before you request a record. Read the text of the DPPA and the DPPA permissible uses that are listed on form MV-15DPPA.

Note: You can order an abstract of your driver record on-line. You cannot request the DMV records of another person through the DMV web site or by e-mail. To request DMV records, you must use one of the methods that are listed in the menu below.

[SlipperySlope]

4. Is this a followup posting?

It seems like I'm missing something. How did you find out that this dealership had your "information". What information did they have?

[lcordero2]

10. The rep. from the dealership told me on the phone that

the dealership got my info through the DMV.

From what I know, they had my name and address.

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Have you had your driver's license swiped through a machine recently?

Everything about you, including your SSN, your driving record, registration, etc., is on that magnetic strip on the back of your driver's license.

I was recently in a local store buying some wine. The kid at the checkout said she needed my ID to make sure I was of age to buy. I started laughing...am 51 years old, and hardly look to be anywhere near underage. Anyway, I showed her my DL, and she took it from me, swiped it through the cash register in a special slot at the top. I started yelling. I was pissed. She had no business taking my personal info for any reason. Told her she should look at the goddamn date.

Went into same store about 2 weeks later, and a different kid wanted my ID, same reason. I told him he could read the date, but he didn't get my card. He said that it's store policy to swipe the card. Another older checker came up and told the kid, just read the birth date and hit the key to override the age/sale.

Had told a friend of mine about this as she also shops at this store for beer. Three times they tried to take her card, and she made a huge stink. She wrote a LTTE to our small town newspaper here (we are in the sticks in Central CA), and the paper called her about the letter saying that they wanted to use it as part of a local investigation into ID/Privacy issues.

So, that's why was wondering if you had your DL swiped anywhere. My friend and I suspect that the store we went to (and it is a national store chain)uses a database collector that shares the info from the magnetic strip on back of the DL.

[SmokingJacket]

7. I've never had that happen!

Thanks for the heads-up -- I'll be sure to keep my license in my wallet window from now on.

[-..__...]

8. If anyone think it's bad now...

wait until the provisions of "The Real ID" act kicks in (2008, I belive?)

[lcordero2]

9. I've never had my card swiped before

I drink maybe once every 6-12 months. The last two times being at City Island in NY. If this becomes commonplace here then they won't even get to make the sale every 6-12 months.

[pitohui]

15. yes it's an information grab

it is not flattering to be asked for yr ID when you're clearly over 40 & i am no longer going to play along & pretend to be flattered

it insults my intelligence & it is being used to swipe my card & grab my information

such programs as "we ID to age 40" need to be made illegal, it only facilitates identity theft & invasion of privacy

if you can't tell if a 52 yr old lady is under age 18 or not, you do not need to be working in a job that requires the use of yr eyesight

yes, i witnessed a 52 yr old lady get carded

it is unreal

[Whoa_Nelly]

19. READ HERE about the SWIPE machine

A lot of info at this site, so check through it's many links:
http://www.we-swipe.us/research.html

<snip>
What Information is Encoded on Drivers' Licenses?

We don't exactly know since there are over 200 state-issued drivers' licenses currently in circulation and not a lot of available documentation.

We have developed our own list based on SWIPE Toolkit usage. As more people use our Toolkit Decode Barcode feature, the more comprehensive and up-to-date this list becomes.

Data that currently is stored on some states drivers' licenses:
Name
Address
Second Address
Date of Birth
Height
Weight
Sex
Eye Color
Hair Color
Social Security Number
Organ Donor Info
Medical Indicators
Alias Name, Address, Date of Birth or Social Security Number
Electronic Image of Your Signature
Your Electronic Photo Image (KY)
Digital Fingerprints (DC, GA, HI)
Facial Recognition Template (TN)

And at this link roll mouse over your state to see what info is on your DL:
http://turbulence.org/Works/swipe/state_analysis.html

[lcordero2]

6. I just called the DMV

I had to call R L Polk (whoever the hell they are) in order to opt out. I'm going to follow this up with an opt-out letter that I'm going to get from junkbusters.

[-..__...]

11. From reading Stephenies post...

It sounds like car dealerships have "DPPA permissible use to request DMV records that contain personal information". It's a safe bet insurance companies have access to the same info too.

I can see a valid need to know for insurance companies, but a car dealership? Not unless they're providing any financing.

[lcordero2]

13. The thing is that I have a state ID

I don't have a driver's license. If I wanted a car I would have bought and paid for it outright in another state that doesn't have sales tax.

[-..__...]

16. One final thought.

Some state DMVs sell your information to advertisers, retailers, charities etc.
I have no idea if that's what happened in your situation, but whatever the case may be it should be illegal as all hell for the DMV to give any info out unless it's on a need to know basis.

[wryter2000]

12. Don't know the answer

But welcome to DU :hi:

[lcordero2]

14. Thank you

It's my second time around:hi:

[lcordero2]

17. New issue

I just reread the solicitation. It states that my "current vehicle qualifies" me "for this sale"...it's a trade-in program.

I called the dealership again to find out what vehicle do I own. They said to contact JD Power and associates. I put in a credit fraud alert.

I'm definitely not a happy camper right now.

[lcordero2]

18. I called J D Power at this number to opt out

[phone]

[Whoa_Nelly]

20. Wanna know a little more? After 1996, FBI has file on EVERYONE re: credit

http://www.fbifile.com/fbi-doihave.html

<snip>
Do I Have an FBI File? If you are an adult citizen of the United States, or if, after 1996, you have ever applied for credit, you have an FBI File. At that time the FBI spent millions with ChoicePoint Inc. to buy information on virtually all adults living in the United States with any credit or public record history. ChoicePoint, formerly a part of credit-reporting company Equifax, is a database compiler selling personal information for a profit. Using your Social Security number as the key identifier, ChoicePoint compiles dossiers on citizens from credit reports, and from public records such as court files, property tax documents, business incorporation filings, and professional license applications. ChoicePoint aggregates this up-to-date information and sells it to the FBI. Following below is a list of the other most common areas of collection:

Everyone arrested and booked into custody of law enforcement - a police record
Government employees
Immigrants who have become U. S. citizens
All those with Green Cards
Foreign nationals visiting the United States
Every person involved in counter-intelligence
Suspected organized crime members
Members of recognized 'hate groups'
Elected/Serving Politicians
Professionals fingerprinted for their profession, example: stock brokers; realtors
Close associates of the above listed categories of people.

[Greyhound]

21. Nearly all of the cash strapped State governments have instituted

this kind of record subscription 'service'. You have no security in your person or papers, no autonomy, and no recourse.