Employer giving out my info

[jeepin0625]

What is the name of your state? North Carolina

I have had my identity mixed up with another guy who has the same first name and paternal last name as me as well as the same birthdate. I thought the issue was isolated to immigration until I recieved a letter from Idaho child support services saying I owed child support for three children.

I called them to clear up the matter and it turns out that my employer gave them all my information. They had called to ask if someone by my name worked for them and without verifying that it was actually the same person they gave out all my personal information including my address my wages and worst of all my social security number. They did not even verify that it was actually a government entity doing this. There was no court order making them do this they just did it voluntarily. I have been able to clear up the matter of the child support order but I am furious that my employer gave out all of my information so easily.

When I told me that I was upset about this and gave them proof that I was not the person in question they said they had done nothing wrong. Are they actually allowed to give away my information so easily?

 

[cbg]

While I am not saying it was wise and I am not saying I agree with your employer's position, they did nothing illegal. The only information they are required to keep confidential under the law is any medical information they may have on you and in some states, any workers comp info.

 

[TearDrops]

While I am not saying it was wise and I am not saying I agree with your employer's position, they did nothing illegal. The only information they are required to keep confidential under the law is any medical information they may have on you and in some states, any workers comp info.

My goodness, In the uk, there is a data protection act. No personal info should be given out. Although at my work, they discuss my sickness with other collegues, and even a really confidential reason I was off work was found out, it is totally wrong in my eyes. Is there no dataprotection act in the US?

 

[cbg]

Not at the present time. Given the problem of identity theft, there very likely should be and may be in future, but as of right now the only confidentiality laws in the workplace relate to medical information.