NBC News: Your employer may share your salary, and Equifax might sell that data

[Newsjock]

http://redtape.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/30/16762661-exclusive-your-employer-may-share-your-salary-and-equifax-might-sell-that-data?lite

... "It's the biggest privacy breach in our time, and it’s legal and no one knows it’s going on," said Robert Mather, who runs a small employment background company named Pre-Employ.com. "It's like a secret CIA."

Despite all the information Americans now share on social media and websites, and all the data we know companies collect on us, one piece of information is still sacred to most people: their salaries. After all, who would post their salary as a status update on Facebook or in a tweet?

But salary information is also for sale by Equifax through The Work Number. Its database is so detailed that it contains week-by-week paystub information dating back years for many individuals, as well as other kinds of human resources-related information, such as health care provider, whether someone has dental insurance and if they’ve ever filed an unemployment claim. In 2009, Equifax said the data covered 30 percent of the U.S. working population, and it now says The Work Number is adding 12 million records annually.

How does Equifax obtain this sensitive and secret information? With the willing aid of thousands of U.S. businesses, including many of the Fortune 500. Government agencies -- representing 85 percent of the federal civilian population, including workers at the Department of Defense, according to Equifax -- and schools also work with The Work Number. Many of them let Equifax tap directly into their data so the credit bureau can always have the latest employment information. In fact, these organizations actually pay Equifax for the privilege of giving away their employees' personal information.

[Ron Obvious]

1. But share your own salary info...

But share your own salary information with colleagues, and get sacked instantly.

Funny imbalance, that.

[Sherman A1]

2. Indeed

In my case, it's pretty well printed in our Union Contract Book, so it's no secret. This sharing of salary information, however is simply wrong.

[diabeticman]

3. what the hell?! Might as well tear down your blinds and throw open your windows.

[Initech]

4. How is this not grossly illegal?

[KoKo]

5. There really aren't any LAWS today that apply to the "common people" though..

But, I'm glad you asked.

If you can find some laws that apply to us "common people" I'd read it...Hoping you can find........

[freshwest]

6. Voluntary relationships with sharecropper bosses. Besides, it makes $$$. America's only sacred cow.