Slack goes when CA DMV gains access to SSA database

From: Rodent of Unusual Size (Ken.Coar@Golux.Com)
Date: Thu Apr 26 2001 - 03:22:29 PDT


Sounds like a RISK, but I am not gonna go there..

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Ken Coar <http://Golux.Com/coar/> Apache Software Foundation <http://www.apache.org/> "Apache Server for Dummies" <http://Apache-Server.Com/> "Apache Server Unleashed" <http://ApacheUnleashed.Com/>

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Message-Id: <p05100303b70d1d773af0@[63.73.97.187]> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 17:42:15 -0700 From: Jon Callas <jon@callas.org> Subject: Slack goes when CA DMV gains access to SSA database [via RISKS]

[Editor's note: If they don't fix this in a couple-three years, I'll get bitten by it, too. My legal name is Jonathan, but my SSN is under my common name, Jon. -- jdcc]

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 16:25:02 -0400 From: eweise <eweise@usatoday.com> Subject: Slack goes when California DMV gains access to SSA database

Apparently the California DMV gained access to the computerized database of the Social Security Administration at the beginning of the year. Sometime in February or March the DMV began bouncing back all requests to renew drivers licenses in which the name given did not exactly match the name in the SSA computers.

I learned of this the day my license expired when I attempted to renew it and was told that because my Social Security number was issued under the name Beth back in the 1960s, according to the DMV I was attempting to defraud the government "and possibly engaged in identity theft" by attempting to get a drivers license under the name Elizabeth Weise--despite the fact that the State of California has accorded me a drivers license under that name for eight years now.

A call to the Social Security Administration confirmed that since the DMV was given the ability to hook directly into the SSA's computers, they've been flooded with Robert-Bob's, Richard-Dicks's and Alex-Alexander's who are all being told they can't renew their licenses until they officially change their names. For the record, the clerk at the SSA told me "We understand that Beth and Elizabeth are the same person and it doesn't bother us, but the DMV won't let it by any more." To fix this one must personally go to an SSA office and have them change their official record. The identification they require? A California drivers license.

Elizabeth Weise, Technology Reporter, USA Today Life Section 2912 Diamond St. #407, San Francisco CA 94131 415/452-8741 eweise@usatoday.com

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