<B>Editor:<B>
In April 2006 I visited the local Social Security office to get some information. As I was waiting for my appointment, I noticed that the people at the window in the waiting area were giving personal and private information to the worker at the window. It was information that all of us in the waiting area could hear.
When I went to the back, I asked the employee if their office was exempt from the privacy act. I told her some of the personal information that I had heard while waiting for my appointment. She said that she would bring this to the attention of the manager.
On January 3, 2007, I had to go back to the Social Security office. I could not get an appointment because they do not give appointments for the question I had. I was told to come in and talk to the person at the window. As I was waiting my turn, I heard people at the window giving names, addresses, telephone numbers, children’s name, health concerns, etc. I could not believe that these people were subjected to giving information like that in front of a roomful of strangers.
When it was my turn, I presented a letter I had received to get some information regarding it. The next thing I knew the employee at the window was telling me that according to their records I made $--------- last year. Everyone in the waiting area could hear what was being said and how much I made last year.
My question to anyone that can answer is why is the Social Security office exempt from the privacy act. Are other government offices exempt from the privacy act? Family members can not get any information from a doctor’s office about me unless I give them permission yet the whole waiting area at the social security office can hear personal and private information.
Does anyone else think this is appalling?
Carolyn Covington
Statesboro
In April 2006 I visited the local Social Security office to get some information. As I was waiting for my appointment, I noticed that the people at the window in the waiting area were giving personal and private information to the worker at the window. It was information that all of us in the waiting area could hear.
When I went to the back, I asked the employee if their office was exempt from the privacy act. I told her some of the personal information that I had heard while waiting for my appointment. She said that she would bring this to the attention of the manager.
On January 3, 2007, I had to go back to the Social Security office. I could not get an appointment because they do not give appointments for the question I had. I was told to come in and talk to the person at the window. As I was waiting my turn, I heard people at the window giving names, addresses, telephone numbers, children’s name, health concerns, etc. I could not believe that these people were subjected to giving information like that in front of a roomful of strangers.
When it was my turn, I presented a letter I had received to get some information regarding it. The next thing I knew the employee at the window was telling me that according to their records I made $--------- last year. Everyone in the waiting area could hear what was being said and how much I made last year.
My question to anyone that can answer is why is the Social Security office exempt from the privacy act. Are other government offices exempt from the privacy act? Family members can not get any information from a doctor’s office about me unless I give them permission yet the whole waiting area at the social security office can hear personal and private information.
Does anyone else think this is appalling?
Carolyn Covington
Statesboro