Their Data Files Won’t Aid Fraud
Incorrect information that was distributed six months ago on e-mail and Internet discussion groups regarding the data displayed in the LEXIS-NEXIS P-TRAK file unfortunately was repeated in a March 11 article by Patric Hedlund titled “Identity Crisis: With Easy Access to Personal Information and Little to Legally Stop Them, Thieves Can Ruin Your Good Credit History.”
The correct information is that LEXIS-NEXIS, a business-to-business online service for legal, business and government professionals, markets the P-TRAK file for use by general legal practitioners, litigators and public attorneys, as well as law enforcement agencies and police departments to assist in locating litigants, witnesses, shareholders, debtors, heirs and beneficiaries.
P-TRAK does not contain credit histories, credit card numbers, mother’s maiden names, bank account information, personal financial data or medical histories. The only information displayed in P-TRAK is the name of the individual and current address and sometimes, but not always, the individual’s maiden name, up to two previous addresses, month and year of birth and telephone number. Social Security numbers are not displayed.
There are no known instances where anyone used the P-TRAK file to commit fraud. P-TRAK is available only to LEXIS-NEXIS subscribers. It is not available via the Internet or to anyone with a credit card. Additionally, we have offered a way for individuals to opt out of P-TRAK since June 1996, and have that information posted on our Web page, https://www.lexis-nexis.com.
JUDI SCHULTZ
Public Relations manager
LEXIS-NEXIS
Dayton, Ohio
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Patric Hedlun replies: Schultz makes an inaccurate assumption about the source of my information. In discussion with a LEXIS-NEXIS account representative in February I confirmed that anyone who subscribes to the P-TRAK service may dial up via the Internet to obtain all the information necessary to hijack identities. Significant information about individuals, including property transfers, past addresses, phone numbers, maiden names and criminal docket information is provided by P-TRAK to those who are willing to pay a small fee for a membership.
And, Social Security numbers are still in their database. Public outrage in June 1996 prompted the company to remove the Social Security number from only the first visible screen of their database, but it is still there.
It is important for people to “opt out” of such databases, but you’ll notice that unless you’re online, no method is noted to do this. I tested P-TRAK’s “opt out” promise, and found one telephone number no longer in service and that my request, registered in February, has still not been acknowledged. Many privacy advocates suggest that information selling companies should only be able to carry information about those who “opt in.”
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Thank you for publishing Patric Hedlund’s “Identity Crisis.” The article points out important and frightening facts that should alert all of us to this huge problem. Credit reports are not free and why should we who are maintaining good credit have to check to confirm it?
Maybe the companies that make money keeping tabs on us should be required to notify us when something shows up that is strange. One of my credit card companies contacted me when I had made two large purchases to confirm that I had made them.
Roger Christiansen
