Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. James Huse Jr., Inspector General of the Social Security Administration called the theft of identities a "national crisis".

Identity theft is a crime in which a criminal obtains vital pieces of personal information (social security number, driver's license number, date of birth, and even one's signature) to obtain credit, goods, or services in the name of an unsuspecting victim.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft, it is estimated that possibly as high as 1.1 million people were victims of identity theft in 2001.

On the average, victims spend in excess of 175 hours spanning 14 months and over $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenses to clear their names and to restore their credit.

Individuals should be more concerned than ever about the threat to their privacy. Many government agencies are placing their documents on web sites for the world to view and for criminals to steal.

In the Lake County Recorder's office there are many documents that contain social security numbers. Many documents reflect social security numbers when in fact they could easily be omitted without compromising the integrity of the documents being filed. Such documents include mortgages, affidavits, durable power of attorney, leases, and various court records.

With personal information so accessible, it is easily vulnerable to misuse.

Despite the technology being available, I have decided that this office will not be placing images on the Internet until we are allowed to remove any and all social security numbers from documents filed in this office. Currently, the Ohio Revised Code does not permit anyone (including the Recorder) to alter a document once it has been recorded.

While our indexes, dating back to 1986, are available on the Internet, these indexes do not contain any personal information. Scanned images of actual documents filed in the Lake County Recorder's office date back to 1996. Documents prior to 1996 are either in hard book copy or on microfilm.

As documents are filed in our office, we are notifying the residents in writing that a document has been recorded containing a social security number.

Members of the military who have recorded their DD214's can have these records permanently expunged. In 2001, letters were mailed to many mortgage companies and lending institutions asking them to please stop placing social security numbers on public documents that are being filed in this office. Also in 2001, letters were mailed to all area Bar Associations asking them to not place social security numbers on documents filed unless it is absolutely necessary.

Obtain copies of your credit reports annually from all three credit-reporting agencies. Review the reports and determine if credit has been extended in your name that you are not aware of.

• Guard your social security number.
• Question the signing of documents that will be publicly filed which contain your social security number.
• Do not write social security numbers on checks or other documents.
• Shred documents that contain personal information and credit card numbers.

Notify the three credit reporting agencies below and ask that they place a fraud alert on your social security number. Also ask that you be notified before any further credit is issued in your name or social security number.

Immediately obtain copies of all three of your credit reports and examine them for fraudulent activity.

Notify the fraud division of the three credit reporting agencies:

Call your local police and file a police report. Keep a copy of that report.

Call and write all the creditors who have opened a fraudulent account. Document, in writing, every effort you make to restore your credit.

Report the misuse of your social security number to the Social Security Fraud Hotline, PO Box 17768, Baltimore, Maryland 21235. Their phone number is 1-800-269-0271.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338.