Iowans Social Security Numbers Posted on Web Site

August 7, 2009

According to an article in the Des Moines Register, the social security numbers of more than 2,000 Iowans were posted on a Web site. The secretary of the state’s site accidentally made the personal information of hundreds of business officials easily accessible to the public. As soon as the mistake was discovered, the site was taken down.

The secretary of the state, Michael Mauro, said that the move was simply an error and that the situation was to be addressed and acted upon accordingly. Many of the individuals, whose numbers were released, have said that they worry about the safety of their identities and personal information.

With an individual’s social security number, an identity thief can apply for credit cards and then buy vehicles or other costly goods in the victim’s name. It takes many people years to repair the damages done by identity theft.