Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Then presumably, they aren't asking people to email confidential information via unsecured emails! I never said the people running the organization in question are idiots but their request did demonstrate a failure to comply with the information security standards I am accustomed to when handling sensitive personal information in my own professional capacity.
Your concern over the request to email the information is a legitimate one, and I wouldn't comply either.
My response was directed to the rest of your post, about being concerned over the safety of sensitive information after you provide it in person. Why not just ask how it's safeguarded? If they really are lax about security then you'll be doing the organization a favor by pointing it out.
I would definitely not email my Social Security number to them. I would also ask them specifically how they comply with the Privacy Act. PII would be a definite concern as to how they handle it.
Your concern over the request to email the information is a legitimate one, and I wouldn't comply either.
I understand the need for background checking, but I'm with you, OP. If the organization requesting it isn't set up or versed in handling confidential info, then I'm not going to volunteer, and I'll tell them why. This has already happened several times since I've moved here. In one case, they were keeping applications with ss numbers in an unlocked file in an office that was easy for anyone to access. When I pointed out these problems, I was told that the person in charge knows, but there's no money for locks.
I found a locking office file at Goodwill and donated it last year, but that office is still wide open, as is the computer.
The problem is that many older people here still think everyone is honest, and a lot of people are, but it only takes one criminal to steal ss numbers and do lots of damage.
Your concern over the request to email the information is a legitimate one, and I wouldn't comply either.
My response was directed to the rest of your post, about being concerned over the safety of sensitive information after you provide it in person. Why not just ask how it's safeguarded? If they really are lax about security then you'll be doing the organization a favor by pointing it out.
That's great about pointing it out, but that doesn't mean anything is going to be done about it. Or done in a timely enough manner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by N.Cal
I would definitely not email my Social Security number to them. I would also ask them specifically how they comply with the Privacy Act. PII would be a definite concern as to how they handle it.
I understand the need for background checking, but I'm with you, OP. If the organization requesting it isn't set up or versed in handling confidential info, then I'm not going to volunteer, and I'll tell them why. This has already happened several times since I've moved here. In one case, they were keeping applications with ss numbers in an unlocked file in an office that was easy for anyone to access. When I pointed out these problems, I was told that the person in charge knows, but there's no money for locks.
I found a locking office file at Goodwill and donated it last year, but that office is still wide open, as is the computer.
The problem is that many older people here still think everyone is honest, and a lot of people are, but it only takes one criminal to steal ss numbers and do lots of damage.
The thing is the OP is already a volunteer with this food bank. You would think if someone has been volunteering for a year or more, shows up when they're supposed to, is responsible that should be enough.
If they changed their policies than let them do that with new volunteers going forward.
The thing is the OP is already a volunteer with this food bank. You would think if someone has been volunteering for a year or more, shows up when they're supposed to, is responsible that should be enough.
If they changed their policies than let them do that with new volunteers going forward.
As I already explained, this is a requirement due to a new insurance carrier. And the fact that I've worked there for a year doesn't change that, nor should it.
I have no problem being background checked given the nature of the work I do there. I have access to the participants' personal info (although we do not keep their SSN on file) and I am alone with them in a private office. To my knowledge, there has not been an incident of inappropriate conduct by a volunteer, but there could be and the participants deserve to have the protection of knowing that the people working with them in this manner are background checked.
I've sent in inquiry regarding my concerns about information security for the volunteers, and am waiting to hear back. They are not open on weekends so I didn't expect to hear until this coming week, and it's possible that the volunteer coordinator who is my contact may need to discuss this further with some of the other administration before I get a response.
As I already explained, this is a requirement due to a new insurance carrier. And the fact that I've worked there for a year doesn't change that, nor should it.
I have no problem being background checked given the nature of the work I do there. I have access to the participants' personal info (although we do not keep their SSN on file) and I am alone with them in a private office. To my knowledge, there has not been an incident of inappropriate conduct by a volunteer, but there could be and the participants deserve to have the protection of knowing that the people working with them in this manner are background checked.
I've sent in inquiry regarding my concerns about information security for the volunteers, and am waiting to hear back. They are not open on weekends so I didn't expect to hear until this coming week, and it's possible that the volunteer coordinator who is my contact may need to discuss this further with some of the other administration before I get a response.
I know, I read that part about a change in insurance carriers.
You can still ask about that. It doesn't hurt to ask.
How about inappropriate conduct by someone who is coming for help? I would inquire since they want this information are you covered in the event that you are physically attacked. You're dealing with people who are facing hard times for whatever reason. When people are in dire financial situations they could get upset in a scenario like yours.
This is a good thing. I had to have annual one to be a 4H leader.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
