Analysis and Opinion

Counties weigh privacy issues against public's right to access data

The Dallas Morning News contained  an enlightening and alarming article last Friday that raises important issues that affect every citizen who lives in a county that publishes the the county's real property records online.

Ed Housewright begins Online records raise identity theft concerns  with, "Identity theft terrifies you. So you guard your Social Security number. Shred sensitive documents. Check your credit card activity. Delete suspicious e-mails."

"You may feel safe, but an identity thief could still wreck your life by surfing through online records that once were available only at the county courthouse."

The article points out that The National Governors Association recently warned states that identity theft from online documents is a "growing threat".

"For example, a public court record for a divorce proceeding may contain information such as addresses, dates of birth, credit information, Social Security numbers, and spouse's and children's information," according to a governor's association report.

Mr. Housewright asked county officials in Texas and across the country for their response to the association's warning.

Denton County Clerk Cynthia Mitchell is quoted as saying, "I'm highly sensitive to the issue of personal information being in the public record."

Ms. Mitchell has reason for concern. Information she provides on her subscription website could have been used by criminals to steal a $300,000 home in Frisco, Texas.

Denton County Sheriff Benny Parkey may also have concerns about the security of subscription websites. According to a Federal indictment filed in Florida, an alleged conman from Massachusetts scammed a Denton County Deputy into providing the department's account information to a subscription website used by law enforcement. 

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