Identity Theft Irony

Email

Print

Share

August 03, 2006 11:49 AM

Members of Congress who are leading the crusade against identity theft may have unwittingly exposed themselves to the very crime they seek to eradicate. 

Co-sponsors for the "Financial Data Protection Act of 2006" revealed personal information in their public financial disclosure forms, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.  These disclosures are published annually by Congressional watchdog groups.  The Center, out of consideration for the privacy of Representatives Pryce and Scott, redacted their sensitive information before posting the forms on their website.

Co-sponsors Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) and Rep. David Scott (D-GA) both opted to provide personal brokerage statements in lieu of filing the standard federal form.

In doing so, Rep. Pryce's office did not redact account numbers and other personally identifiable data, thus exposing her to possible identity theft. 

A spokesperson for Rep. Scott said their office was not clear as to what sensitive information was redacted by their office and what information was inadvertently disclosed.

Spokespersons for Representatives Pryce and Scott declined any further comment.