Calif. Sells Your Social Security Number For $6 Online

An Internet security breach in California placed hundreds of thousands of Social Security numbers in cyberspace, NBC11's Mike Luery reported. For three years, the Secretary of State's office routinely placed thousands of documents containing Social Security numbers on the Internet and then sold them to the public for $6 each.

"The state has literally been selling on the Internet an ID theft starter kit," said Sacramento assemblyman Dave Jones.

Jones said the breach included these public documents used for consumer loans.

"From what we know, these records have been available for sale on the World Wide Web since 2004, making this potentially the longest running government breach in California's history," Jones said.

California's new Secretary of State Debra Bowen moved quickly to shut down web access once she was notified.

Many local government agencies, including California county recorders' office, still provide Social Security numbers on tax liens and other public records -- providing a potential treasure trove for identity thieves, Luery reported.

At California's Office of Privacy Protection, more than 1,000 consumers call each year with questions and concerns about identity theft.

If your Social Security number is compromised, privacy experts said the best way to protect yourself is to freeze your credit rating.

"What that means is to go to the credit reporting agencies and place a freeze. In other words, nobody can open new credit, including you until that freeze is lifted," said Russ Heimerich of the Department Of Consumer Affairs.

Privacy advocates said public records should allow Californians to monitor their government, not each other.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCBP leaders cut out of Trump ad buy decision

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAmerican passenger drafted goodbye texts to her family as Flydubai plane plummeted

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation pushes embattled New York prosecutor into national spotlight

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCBP leaders cut out of Trump ad buy decision

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAmerican passenger drafted goodbye texts to her family as Flydubai plane plummeted

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation pushes embattled New York prosecutor into national spotlight

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

Jones is trying ban the practice of listing Social Security numbers on government Web sites. Hearings at the state Capitol are scheduled for April.

More News From nbc11.com:

Police: Oakland Man Allegedly Shot Neighbor Over Music

State Identifies NorCal Farm Linked To Ecoli Scare

Police: Fake 911 Call Led To South Bay Lotto Scam Arrest

Investigators Hand DeAnza Case Over To DA

Bay Area Pet Owners Worried After Food Recall