Monday, May 21, 2007
Dell Doesn't Safeguard Personal Information
In this day and age of identity fraud, it's shameful for a company to not protect personal information. Dell is one that does not.
Last week I decided to purchase a new Dell laptop. I opted for Dell to finance the purchase. One field of the finance form asked for my social security number. No surprise there, all loan applications ask for this. The explanation is that it is required to run the credit check. However, a social security number is NOT required for a credit check. It simply makes the process easier. I used to work for an auto loan company so I know this to be a fact. But, I did provide this information. (Note that under US Law, the only time you are legally required to provide an SSN is if something is tax related. Companies can deny service if you refuse to provide it.)
The primary issue is that after I placed the order, I found that there was one software component that was wrong and contacted customer non-support to make the change. The agent told me that she needed my social security number to make the change. There is NO reason any part of my social security number is needed to do that. In fact, that agent should not even see the number. I was told it was needed to verify my identity before the change could be made. I still declined to provide the information. When I was told she could not change the order, I told her I wanted to cancel it. No problem, the order could be cancelled. So, why do I need to verify my identity to change an order but not cancel an order? This doesn't make sense.
In either case, my social security number is now floating through Dell's systems, being seen by who knows. And, Dell's systems are accessible to the Internet. When I called this morning and registered my complaint, I was told, "Dell's systems are secure." I have no doubt that the dozens of companies that have been hacked over the past couple of years said the same thing. It's only a matter of time before Dell is hacked.
Bottom line...Dell has lost my business until they change their corporate policies. I won't even trust them with a credit card number. You should think carefully before making a purchase from Dell. Your personal information, like mine is now, could be at stake.
Last week I decided to purchase a new Dell laptop. I opted for Dell to finance the purchase. One field of the finance form asked for my social security number. No surprise there, all loan applications ask for this. The explanation is that it is required to run the credit check. However, a social security number is NOT required for a credit check. It simply makes the process easier. I used to work for an auto loan company so I know this to be a fact. But, I did provide this information. (Note that under US Law, the only time you are legally required to provide an SSN is if something is tax related. Companies can deny service if you refuse to provide it.)
The primary issue is that after I placed the order, I found that there was one software component that was wrong and contacted customer non-support to make the change. The agent told me that she needed my social security number to make the change. There is NO reason any part of my social security number is needed to do that. In fact, that agent should not even see the number. I was told it was needed to verify my identity before the change could be made. I still declined to provide the information. When I was told she could not change the order, I told her I wanted to cancel it. No problem, the order could be cancelled. So, why do I need to verify my identity to change an order but not cancel an order? This doesn't make sense.
In either case, my social security number is now floating through Dell's systems, being seen by who knows. And, Dell's systems are accessible to the Internet. When I called this morning and registered my complaint, I was told, "Dell's systems are secure." I have no doubt that the dozens of companies that have been hacked over the past couple of years said the same thing. It's only a matter of time before Dell is hacked.
Bottom line...Dell has lost my business until they change their corporate policies. I won't even trust them with a credit card number. You should think carefully before making a purchase from Dell. Your personal information, like mine is now, could be at stake.
// posted by Craig Berntson @ 10:24:00 AM 
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