Recently, my friend Bob (be sure to check out his blog, Health Insurance 411) sent me an article about a new product: The Social Security Death Index Database. Briefly, the company makes available “a database of all reported deaths of reported Social Security number holders.” That is, if you’re in the Social Security system (and who isn’t?), and you die, you “make the list.”
So Bob and I had a brief email conversation about WHY someone (or some company) might need this information, and under what circumstances that need would be so great as to justify paying over $600 a year for this information.
We speculated that perhaps funeral directors would find it helpful, or even insurance agents (“Pardon me, Mrs Thompson, but I see that your husband has passed away. Did he have enough life insurance? Do you?”). But neither of us could figure out exactly who would pay for this kind of information, or to what purpose(s) it would/could be put.
So I moseyed on over to the site (which is easily navigable, and informative as well). I was surprised at the number of applications for such information:
- Bill collectors (kinda adds new meaning to “deadbeat”)
- Anyone who must be HIPAA compliant (medical providers, insurers)
- Mass marketers (who would presumably prefer that their lists remain current)
I’m still not sure how I feel about this. I guess it’s (technically) public knowledge, and I suppose that it could be a useful tool in certain businesses. But I’m also a little “creeped out” at the thought that news of my demise would be disseminated in that fashion.
- Bill collectors (kinda adds new meaning to “deadbeat”)
- Anyone who must be HIPAA compliant (medical providers, insurers)
- Mass marketers (who would presumably prefer that their lists remain current)
I’m still not sure how I feel about this. I guess it’s (technically) public knowledge, and I suppose that it could be a useful tool in certain businesses. But I’m also a little “creeped out” at the thought that news of my demise would be disseminated in that fashion.
Maybe I’m overreacting [ed: nooo!], but I just find this to be an unsettling development.
This is definitely a post for which I’d welcome feedback.
When I sent you the article and link I will admit I didn't tour the site like you did. Apparently your curiousity for the morbid exceeds my own . . .
ReplyDeleteAfter touring the site on my own, I can see the business application, especially for those in the collection business (not just "late" pays, anyone in accounts receivable).
Looking through the Q&A, one of the questions asks about a "test drive" of the information. The response caught my eye . . .
[You are able to buy one month of Internet access . . . these are the "trail" options.]
OK, I have made errors myself in posting, and writing letters, etc. But I always wonder about someone who is marketing a product to the public. Does anyone proofread any more? Obviously spell checker indicated there was no problem in substituting trail for trial, but ya gotta wonder . . .
One thought that did occur. It seems these folks provide information such as name and SS#. This makes me wonder . . .
My understanding is that identity thieves will many times use the SS# of deceased individuals. I wonder if some criminal element may pony up the money to use this service for no good?
Perhaps this is too much of a stretch but almost anything is possible I suppose.
There do seem to be a few typo's, but in all fairness, I'm sure I've been guilty of those, as well.
ReplyDeleteYour concern about potential identity theft is on the mark. I hadn't thought of that (and I should have!). One wonders what, if any, safeguards the SSA has in place to deal with that potential abuse.
Appreciate the feedback (and the tip to the site)!