Consumer Alert from the NAIC:

Protect Yourself: How to Maintain Your Privacy

 Last year, golf sensation Tiger Woods was the victim of identity theft. Earlier this year, judges from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco launched a protest over the use of software monitoring their Internet use. And last week, some consumers probably found an “opt-out notice” that had been misplaced in a pile of bills. While seemingly unrelated, each of these cases boils down to a matter of privacy. Following are some tips from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to help consumers protect their privacy.

1.   Read the Fine Print
July 1, 2001, was the federally mandated deadline for your financial companies to send you their privacy notices. Your bank, credit card provider, mortgage company and insurers are required to send you detailed accounts of how they use your personal information. This notice may be included in the regular statements you receive from your financial institutions or may be sent in a special mailing. The notices describe how you can “opt out” of having your personal financial information shared with third parties. If you choose not to opt out, you may be permitting that company to sell or give away your personal financial information.  

2.  Take a Second Look
In case you are among the millions of busy Americans who don’t read every piece of paper that comes in the mail, don’t fear. You have the right to opt out at any time. If you still have your notice, it will detail how the institution may share your information. If you don’t want those facts shared, follow the opt-out instructions and return the notification. If you have accidentally tossed your notice, you can request another copy from the company.  

 3.  Take Action.   
All consumers can be informed, active participants in their financial business. After you’ve taken the required steps to protect your information, you may still find that you are inundated with solicitations through the mail, on the telephone or on the Internet. As a consumer, you may request that other companies also protect your personal data. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, http://www.privacyrights.org/, has sample letters you can download and modify on your home computer. The letter details how your information is, or is not, to be used. Not all companies have a legal obligation to comply with your request; however, it is your right to ask.  

4.   Prevent Fraud from Claiming Your Privacy
       You are presented the opportunity to protect your information on a regular  

       basis.  Here are a few quick ways to keep your information from falling into the  

       wrong  hands:  

Shred any documents you receive that contain your personal details before you dispose them, especially if it relates to credit or debit cards.

• If given a choice, consider not using your Social Security number as your driver’s license number.

• Review your credit rating annually. If anything unusual appears, ask questions immediately. Don’t let inaccurate credit reports go uncorrected.

• If you misplace or lose a credit or debit card, report it as soon as you notice it’s missing. Don’t assume you will just stumble upon it later.  


 5.Get More Information

     
Get the latest information on insurance privacy at www.naic.org/1privacy. If you     

      believe your insurance privacy has been violated, please contact your state insurance   

      department, since your state may have laws that further protect your privacy. You can   

      link to your state insurance department’s Web site by visiting http://www.naic.org/1privacy. Click on    

      “State Insurance Regulators Web Sites,” then click on your state.


This information is provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a voluntary organization of the chief insurance regulatory officials of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. The association’s overriding objective is to protect consumers and help maintain the financial stability of the insurance industry. 

Here are some links that you might find informative:
  

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a nonprofit consumer information and advocacy program. It offers consumers a unique opportunity to learn how to protect their personal privacy.
  

 Federal Trade Commission Privacy Alert and FTC Privacy Initiatives
The FTC’s task is to protect consumer products and alert consumers when there is a potential danger, physical or monetary, to consumers.  These links describe the privacy dangers that lurk in the credit industry and what to do about them and the privacy activities of the FTC.
  

FirstGov for Consumers
Consumer.gov is a "one-stop" link to a broad range of federal information resources.  It is designed so that you can locate information by category -- such as Food, Health, Product Safety, Your Money, and Transportation. Each category has subcategories to direct you to areas within individual federal web sites containing related information.

 


Privacy Home  |  Privacy Issues Working Group  | Market Conduct Activities
Health Information Activities  |  Privacy Publications
 Privacy and Government  |  Privacy and the Consumer  |  Privacy Calendar

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