Information in Public and Information in Private
It’s amazing how much information we think is ironclad and secure, but in reality, it’s just out there for everyone and their brother to see. RecentlyLeigh Clack, a closing attorney friend of ours, shared this valuable information with us, and we pass it along as a consumer advisory. I was amazed to see what is accessible to anyone via the public record. See below…
| PRIVATE (must have authorization) | PUBLIC (accessible to anyone) |
| Credit Reports | Lawsuits/judgements for unpaid bills |
| Income Tax Returns | Recorded federal/state income tax liens |
| Social Security #s | Shown on all older income tax liens (new ones show last 4 digits) |
| Death Certificates | |
| Birth Certificates (last 20+ years) | |
| Shown on some recorded mortgages & UCC financing statements | |
| Bankruptcy filings | |
| Health/medical records | Death Certificates (show cause of death) |
| Bank account #s (and wiring info) | Sometimes detailed in wills and divorce records |
| Shown on any checks issued | |
| Financial Status | Wills and divorce records |
| Bankruptcy records | |
| Recorded mortgages | |
| Property tax bills | |
| Foreclosures |
Many thanks to Leigh Clack with Neel and Robinson Attorneys at Law, LLC. Leigh is a great closing attorney who we close with often, and she can be reached at 404-705-3690 or lenox@neelandrobinson.com.
