Have you been put at risk?

Laws are written to protect the citizens under that jurisdiction. A very noble effort and for the most part, quite successful. But what happens when those laws actually have the opposite effect and put those citizens at risk? I recently had the opportunity to find one of those laws and would like to share this potentially dangerous information.

While gathering information for a driver鈥檚 license reinstatement hearing, I learned that I must provide three witness statements from upstanding citizens willing to speak up for my character. A very understandable request.

The problem arises with the accompanying requirement that I also include those witnesses driving records. In order to obtain those records, the witnesses must entrust me with some very sensitive information. The driving record request application asks for social security number, date of birth, and the driver鈥檚 license number. Information that the perpetrators of identity theft thrive on.

This information would enable any one, in my circumstances, to steal the identities of the good citizens that have offered to help. While I would never consider such an action, I am not the only one that faces this request.

Thousands of people have this similar hearing on a daily basis. Each of them must provide the same information. On a yearly basis, this puts millions of good and kind people in an extremely dangerous situation. If you are one of those kind hearted individuals that have helped a friend or relative through such a hearing, you are at risk. And you were put through that risk by the very governing agency sworn to protect you.

With identity theft one of our governments top priorities, wouldn鈥檛 you think that our officials would alter the process so that citizens would not be put in such a potentially dangerous situation?

If you have ever helped another in a similar position I ask you to voice your concerns by writing to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Ask him to look into practical alternatives. Contact William Gore Jr by mail at:
NC Division of Motor Vehicles
3118 Mail Service Center
Raliegh, NC 27699-3118
or call his office at: (919) 861- 3015. Or send an e- mail to: bgore@dot.state.nc.us
Thank you.

THAT'S INSANE!

No, I have not been put at risk, probably because I have yet(and hope never to be) in your position.