Identity theft starts at Social Security due to poor training
and failure to observe privacy laws
There has been some grumbling among residents in some neighborhoods that Social Security staff (in particular security guards and clerks handling benefits issues) have been snooping into their affairs and discussing highly-confidential client information in violation of State and Federal Law.
Actors, writers - and performers in the arts who tend to be in the spotlight a lot - are particularly upset when they encounter stares and notice that employees actually point them out in the waiting room and disclose private and confidential information about them to other staff members in the office.
Either the employees at Social Security are very stupid - or lack formal training - in respect to the basics (such as they pertain to privacy issues and the right to be treated without discrimination).
All citizens have a right to drop into a Social Security office to obtain a new card, question eligibility for benefts, whatever.
They shouldn't be scared away from visting a local Social Security office for fear that details of their private lives will be revealed to gossip mongers, the curious, or the tabloids.
The problem appears to occur with African-Americans and Hispanics who don't have much of a clue about the issues in view of their track record.
When I hear the complaints, I urge the victims to report the matter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration in Washington (and their local rep at the State level).
If these employees show don't show more compassion and understanding, they should be shown the door, to prevent these disturbing intrusions from unfolding unjustly in the future.
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