07-21-2005, 07:58 PM
[size 2]Pennsylvania- In response to concerns received from hunting and furtaker license buyers, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials took action to remind all license issuing agents of their obligation to protect the confidentiality and security of license buyers' information, especially social security numbers.
"It was brought to our attention that a few vendors were not following the proper procedures to safeguard license sales book information, particularly social security numbers," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission Bureau of Administrative Services director. "We received reports of vendors allowing applicants to fill out the license book, which allows them to see confidential information of other licensees, or that license books were left on counters making the same information easily accessible to other customers.
"As a result, we have provided direction to all vendors that they are responsible to fill out the license book and to protect confidential information. We also emphasized that, when not in use, these license sales books are to be removed from the public's view."
State law prohibits the disclosure of license information. Failure to properly safeguard license information, especially social security numbers, can result in revocation of a vendor's privileges as a license agent. Additionally, disclosure of confidential information is a violation of state law.
Over the past few years, U.S. Congress has enacted a number of new laws to improve enforcement of child support obligations. As part of a broad welfare reform effort, the U.S. Congress required states to implement new requirements to encourage payment of child support. States that failed to implement these requirements faced possible loss of federal welfare funds.
The federal welfare reform includes provisions that affect recreational licenses holders, including those who buy hunting and furtaker licenses. One provision requires states to deny hunting and fishing licenses to certain persons in arrears on child support when a court issues an order revoking or denying such licenses. Another provision requires government agencies to obtain social security numbers from applicants for recreational licenses, including hunting and furtaker licenses. [/size]
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"It was brought to our attention that a few vendors were not following the proper procedures to safeguard license sales book information, particularly social security numbers," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission Bureau of Administrative Services director. "We received reports of vendors allowing applicants to fill out the license book, which allows them to see confidential information of other licensees, or that license books were left on counters making the same information easily accessible to other customers.
"As a result, we have provided direction to all vendors that they are responsible to fill out the license book and to protect confidential information. We also emphasized that, when not in use, these license sales books are to be removed from the public's view."
State law prohibits the disclosure of license information. Failure to properly safeguard license information, especially social security numbers, can result in revocation of a vendor's privileges as a license agent. Additionally, disclosure of confidential information is a violation of state law.
Over the past few years, U.S. Congress has enacted a number of new laws to improve enforcement of child support obligations. As part of a broad welfare reform effort, the U.S. Congress required states to implement new requirements to encourage payment of child support. States that failed to implement these requirements faced possible loss of federal welfare funds.
The federal welfare reform includes provisions that affect recreational licenses holders, including those who buy hunting and furtaker licenses. One provision requires states to deny hunting and fishing licenses to certain persons in arrears on child support when a court issues an order revoking or denying such licenses. Another provision requires government agencies to obtain social security numbers from applicants for recreational licenses, including hunting and furtaker licenses. [/size]
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