OPINION
CONCERN ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT
I recently found it necessary to send personally identifiable information and other sensitive documentation to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement due to an issue with a person with a criminal record who has a name very similar to mine. While the core problem was quickly resolved, the manner in which the documents I submitted were returned to me was inexplicably horrendous and there is a high probability that my identity has been compromised as a result.
I was in the front yard when the envelope containing my sensitive documents arrived and retrieved it immediately. I actually exchanged pleasantries with the mail carrier. Upon inspection I noted the envelope had a prominent FDLE logo displayed as well as a bold CONFIDENTIAL identifier. It was also apparent that the envelope was open. A closer inspection showed that it most likely was never sealed to begin with. Absolutely incredible.
I called FDLE to vent my frustration at this and was supposedly connected with a supervisor in the department involved. I was told that it was not their problem and that I should contact the U.S. Postal Service and asked if there was anything else? There was.
I questioned the competency of sending sensitive items like this through USPS mail system with prominent markings that invite attention from bad actors. I was told that that was their procedure, he would make a note of my suggestion to send things like this in a less obvious manner and was again asked if there was “anything else?” No empathy, no understanding, no agreement with how the process needs to be revised. No worry about my identity probably being compromised due to those “procedures.” No, this “supervisor” did everything possible to NOT go the extra-mile for me.
During this 2-week long process I spent long periods on hold with FDLE with no answer (1 hour was the longest) before giving up to try again later. As a result, I became very familiar with the helpful recorded messages the FDLE has on their “hold-loop,” especially the one giving timely hints on how to protect one’s self from Identity Theft and the importance of doing so. I find that advice incredibly ironic given my situation, especially in view of the tone-deaf response I received from the so-called supervisor I spoke with.
To FDLE’s credit they handled the root issue behind all of this with alacrity and with a major hurricane doing tremendous damage to the state at the same time. That was indeed impressive. My problem is solely with the haphazard manner in which my sensitive documents were returned to me.
I would still very much like to talk with someone of standing at FDLE about my experience and whether the procedures referenced above should be given more thought, some common-sense thought perhaps, probably beginning with using envelopes that properly seal.
Name Withheld
Crawfordville
Editor’s Note: The author of this letter identified himself when submitting, but due to the sensitive nature of the subject requested that his name not be published.