NCISS Statement Regarding ChoicePoint Fraud Case
February 22, 2005
For Immediate Release
Re: ChoicePoint Public Records, Inc.
Contact: Bruce Hulme, Chairman
NCISS Investigations Legislative Committee
P.O. Box 3392, Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008-3392
Tel: 1-800-475-1399
The National Council of Investigation and Security Services believes that every entity with access to personal information should be fully vetted. As consumers of information ourselves, we welcome scrutiny by providers. Our members have entered into agreements with information providers that require us to verify our clients and to use the information for legal purposes. In most cases the providers are able to audit our records. In some instances, they have even conducted “stings” to assure that investigators are only providing the information for legitimate purposes.
We urge Choicepoint and other providers to conduct appropriate due diligence before sharing personal data with others.
Licensed investigators need access to some information provided by brokers in order to serve our clients by helping find witnesses, locate heirs, prevent fraud and solve identity theft cases. We are a vital cog in the system of justice, providing many services that overburdened law enforcement cannot. It is critical to continue the flow of this information to investigators for these, and other, vital purposes.
We will work with data providers and public officials to assist in the effort to protect personal data while avoiding interrupting the dissemination of information for legitimate purposes.
NCISS is aware that our members and colleagues are rightly concerned with the fallout over the ChoicePoint matter. Our investigative profession also suffers from any attempt by government to close access to the information that we regularly obtain for legitimate purposes in conducting legal investigations.
NCISS at this time is proceeding in a cautious manner, not casting aspersions on ChoicePoint’s missteps, but seeking constructive avenues to ensure that information providers conduct proper vetting of their accounts and licensed investigators likewise know their clients and ensure that personal information is used for legitimate purposes.