YOUNG DRIVERS PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

YOUNG DRIVERS WHO RECEIVE THEIR FIRST LICENCE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FACE A FUTURE OF POTENTIAL ABUSE RELATING TO THEIR PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

Both Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Transport Secretary,  James H. Trogdon III have to explain to young drivers and their parents why the safety and integrity of their personally identifiable information (which includes name, address, date-of-birth, drivers license particulars and Social Security number) are being placed at risk on a daily basis by consumer reporting agencies, data brokers, and so-called insurance industry support organizations.

Day in and day out, our children's driver license and vehicle records held on NC-DMV databases are downloaded and sold as a commodity to practically anyone with a ‘perceived’ legitimate purpose for acquiring it.  Which unfortunately all too often includes those individuals who do not have our youngsters best interests at heart.

The fact is, law enforcement officials, private investigators, debt collectors, sales and marketing professionals and even convicted identity thieves will all tell you that a person’s current driver’s license and vehicle ownership particulars are the most valuable data asset in today’s digital universe for finding someone and monitoring them on a continuous  basis.  How creepy is that?

 Explaining to parents that a loophole in the  Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 permits consumer data traffickers to gather DMV records on our kids (and adults) and sell it on to practically anyone is most definitely not an acceptable explanation in 2017.

WFAE's "BANKTOWN" SHOW

WFAE's February 7 edition of Charlotte Talks focused on President Trump's proclamation that he is going to  "do a job" on the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

The 50 minute show didn't reveal any new insights into the future of the consumer-friendly Obama-era legislation other than to highlight the possibility that the Dodd-Frank created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is most likely going to be subjected to some changes relating to the enforcement authority of its director and how the agency receives its funding.

Congressman  Robert Pittenger 

But, the morning radio show was not without a little suspense and controversy.  First, the principal guest, Congressman  Robert Pittenger was a no-show, and second,  local banking giant Bank of America (or to be precise CEO Brian Moynihan) was mentioned in a positive light by panel guest Rick Rothacker.

Charlotte Talks is a well produced and informative weekday program, but, when it comes to the topic of  "Banktown" (as the show's producers like to refer to the city's banking industry), things invariably go awry.
This show was no exception.

To be honest, it was hard to imagine that Congressman Robert Pittenger would agree to be on a show with Charlotte Observer reporter  Rick Rothacker who has reported extensively about the congressman's legal problems with the federal government over the years.

Rick Rothacker

Being called away to a  "security briefing" just before going on air was therefore not a surprise to me. Although as a listener, one wasn't sure during the broadcast if he might just make an appearance towards the end of the show.

During the broadcast, Mr. Rothacker mentioned that Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan was "an early supporter" of Dodd-Frank.

But if he understood the mindset of US banking industry executives, he would know that Mr. Moynihan or JP Morgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon for that matter, are about as much in favor of Dodd-Frank as having a hole in their respective heads.

Claims by Mr. Moynihan that the big banks would like to see a level playing field is pure public relations spin.

If Dodd-Frank and possibly the CFPB do go away, it will be a very black day for the American consumer.

SEN. BLUMENTHAL ALLEGEDLY TURNED A BLIND EYE TO WRONGDOING BY EQUIFAX AND TWO BANKS IN HIS STATE

Blumenthal and Gorsuch

One thing President Trump said which is 100% accurate this past week, is that US Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is sometimes economical with the truth.

In fact,  I can personally attest to the fact that Mr. Blumenthal has a track record of not only being light on the facts when it apparently suits him but also has a history of allegedly acting against the interests of the public (which includes his constituents) from time to time.

This is borne out by his actions (or lack of) as the Connecticut Attorney General back in the 1990's when he had the temerity to take absolutely no meaningful action against two banks in his state accused of using identity fraud as a business tool in order to expedite debt collection operations. Or, consumer reporting giant Equifax which allegedly sold thousands (possibly tens of thousands) of consumer credit reports to identity thieves between 1991 and 1998.  

All this, despite his constant efforts to portray himself as a consumer advocate representing the interests of all American consumers.

To the best of my knowledge, neither Mr. Blumenthal or his successor at the CT AG's office have ever notified the thousands of victims both in his state or the rest of the country affected by both the bank's actions or the Equifax data breach. This begs the question why?

After his recent private meeting with Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch,  who reportedly criticized President Donald Trump's comments on the judiciary as being "demoralizing" and "disheartening," Senator Blumenthal managed to turn Judge Gorsuch's openness and candor with him into a major news story.  Alas, demonstrating once again, that Senator Blumenthal appears to care little for other people's privacy no matter who they are.

Now in his 70's,  perhaps it is time for Senator Blumenthal to rethink just how he conducts himself while serving his constituents and maybe even own up to his past failings.