Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

12:01 p.m. • 2-11-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Mostly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F
  • Sun: Clear.
    • Hi: 41° F
  • Mon: Mostly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Posted: March 25, 2009

Bill would remove personal information from online property records

e-mail print friendly
Craig Olive

[search] Site Search

Craig Olive

Smithfield, N.C. — A state senator has proposed a change to the way county records are published as a way to better protect personal information from identity thieves.

When county registers of deeds publish property information online, those documents may contain Social Security numbers, checking account numbers and drivers' license numbers.

A WRAL investigation found thousands of online records that contained personal information.

The state's Identity Theft Protection Act, passed in 2005, only allows a register of deeds to remove a Social Security or bank account number at a citizen's request. The burden is on the individual, many of whom don't realize they need to make the request.

State Senator David Rouzer will introduce a bill to allow a registrar of deeds to redact that information without a request.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
e-mail print friendly

10 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments VIEW ALL 10 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments
FE - Can you tell me where the Clerk of Court documents online are? I didn't know they were available online and it would make my job a lot easier. -way2go

Well, at least for WAKE County:

http://web.co.wake.nc.us/rdeeds/

Click on "Direct Link to BOOKS! Search Page"

FE
FE
March 25, 2009 4:53 p.m.
There are tons of documents recorded with the Register of Deeds that contain personal information, especially on a deed of trust. I think it would be a great idea if the offices can redact that information.

FE - Can you tell me where the Clerk of Court documents online are? I didn't know they were available online and it would make my job a lot easier.
Click to view my profile way2go
March 25, 2009 4:27 p.m.
what happens if one I is stolen in this matter, does the County cover the expense, I doubt it. Something does need to be done and whatever the action required should be a burden on the State and County and not from taxes to pay someone to watch this how info is entered into the database.
ranquick
March 25, 2009 4:12 p.m.
"Ya, bout' time. I shouldn't be able to look up anyone's address or how much they paid for their house on-line. It's a breach of privacy."

That's not what they are talking about removing.....addresses are in the phonebook or online (switchboard.com).
Kilroy
March 25, 2009 3:25 p.m.
It is all counties - we are talking about a state law. Unless of course there are counties that do not have any records online. This entire problem of course was created by Government. What we need is a law banning most places from even asking for SS numbers.
whatelseisnew
March 25, 2009 3:23 p.m.
View Comments VIEW ALL 10 COMMENTS
@ NC Capitol
more | RSS
@ NC Capitol
more | RSS

Multimedia

more
Click Here