Action line 80809 - identity theft

  • Published
  • By Anonymous
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint:

With so much information passed down concerning identity theft prevention, it amazes me that we continue to foster an environment for easy identity theft. For example, registering children for the school-age program, requires parents to write down their credit card number, expiration etc. In the same registration packet, you must also include your social security number (SSN). In addition, checks for the youth center require social security numbers to be written on them.

I believe that we should relook at the policy of where social security numbers are required.

Response:

You raise a valid issue since identity theft is a growing concern. I looked at this very issue hard about a year ago and think we are down to the bare requirement. In the case of the School Age Program, we ask for SSNs and credit card information because we need to. Here's why:

The School Age Program fees are income based. SSNs provide the ability to verify Total Family Income. When our program goes through an audit, the auditors are authorized to use tax records to verify that Total Family Income was correctly stated.

The Air Force began requiring School Age Programs to maintain credit card information in March 2006 in conjunction with Air Force Standard Business Policies. Child care account balances can no longer be carried from week to week. Credit card information is maintained to ensure we have the ability to collect funds should payment not be received on time.

The School Age Program does not require SSNs on checks; the CDC has been reminded. Neither does AAFES or the commissary. The only function on base that does require SSNs is the 39 ABW Comptroller's cash cage (and those who do business with the cash cage). They do this because the Air Base Wing has been the victim of bad checks, and SSNs are the best way of recovering USAF monies. And, the Comptroller shreds all checks after scanning them into their computer system so the security is pretty tight.

We well understand the need to secure personal information and throughout the wing we strive to reduce the amount of personal information required to conduct business. Additionally, we ensure all forms and files are maintained in a secure location as required by law and governed by the Privacy Act. Thanks for taking the time to write.