County Mistakenly Posts Personal Taxpayer Info Online

["Dissent" <Dissent () pogowasright org>]

http://www.wral.com/news/10407868/detail.html

SMITHFIELD, N.C. -- Johnston County officials recently posted personal
information for thousands of residents, including Social Security
numbers, on the county Web site by mistake.

A resident discovered the information by searching his own address on
the Google search engine. In addition to seeing his own Social
Security number online, the man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said
he found another man's name, address, Social Security number and
information that he was retired.

When the man clicked on a link, he said it took him to the Johnston
County Web site, where tax office files contained thousands of other
names and identifying information.

"That contains more information that folks would want out there --
cell phone numbers, in some cases I think, Social Security numbers,"
County Manager Rick Hester said, adding that the information was taken
off the county Web site within an hour of officials learning about it.

County technology officials said the names are part of an annual list
the tax office puts together for financial institutions. The personal
information ended up in the file by mistake and might have been online
for five or six weeks, officials said.

[...]

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