<p>This could have been HORRIBLE, luckily it ended well (so far), but I'm questioning the security of SSS and unfortunately we have no choice but to use them.
Here's what happened. I submitted my info on line by the deadline for our school (Jr Prep already in, deadline 2/28).<br>
Yesterday in the mail FROM A FAMILY in our town I get our Parents statement. It had gone to THEM with their info in their envelope!!! Luckily, (and amazingly) we know them and the mom put in a note "I'm sure I didn't look at this...it was in our envelope, thought I would mail it directly." Yup, my children's social secutiry numbers and my income were sent to another family!!!
I call the school to alert them...they have not received my info from SSS. </p>
<p>I am now waiting a call back from SSS. The help-desk person was shocked and had me leave a message for a supervisor. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, we are stuck, but I'm wondering how often this happens and the families don't find out.</p>
<p>Oh my gosh. What would that have been like if you hadn't known that family? that's a terrible situation. i'm glad it worked out well... hope it happened to no other families.</p>
<p>Linda,</p>
<p>Having worked in information technology for over 20 years and having directly dealt with processes that stuff envelopes a long time ago (in this particular situation it was vehicle warranty), it is entirely possible that the machine that folds and stuffs the letters malfunctioned and inadvertently stuffed 2 letters in 1 envelope. </p>
<p>This does happen from time to time, but typically it will happen repeatedly as the machine needs adjustment. When a skilled operator (I doubt they pay to get mechanically inclined people to run these things anymore) notices a malfunction, usually they stop the machine and have clerks perform a hand audit on that batch to ensure that a certain number of envelopes before the malfunction was noticed are OK. If more problems are found, the audit goes further back until it is determined that there aren't any more problems. </p>
<p>Having a nearby person getting your information would be typical of this type of mechanical processing error, as bulk mailings are pre-sorted in Zip+4 order in order to get the best price from the US Postal Service.</p>
<p>The letters probably were not printed and mailed by SSS, but a bulk mail printing house as this equipment is expensive and although SSS does charge a lot for its services it probably can't afford this stuff for one annual mailing.</p>
<p>SSS needs to audit this mailer's business practices and find another supplier if their practices prove unsatisfactory.</p>
<p>As to the school not getting that information, SSS probably sends a single report to each school on a monthly basis with all the students applying to that particular school. It is cheaper than mailing duplicates of each letter. They do send it both on paper and electronically. If you are concerned, do ask the school when it got its last electronic feed from SSS (if they use it). Otherwise, you are waiting for them to receive and digest their monthly report.</p>
<p>I can understand your concern. I think the need for security in this matter is just as important as if they were printing your payroll check (or stub). You should continue to ask SSS for answers and quite frankly (although I doubt they will do it), they should refund your money for the report you didn't receive from them.</p>
<p>Linda, </p>
<p>I work in IT for a large government organization and totally agree with goaliedad. Our forms go out with masked SSNs (asterisks in some of the fields) or with "external ID numbers" that would map back to the SSN on our system. This helps protect some privacy should the machines malfunction.</p>
<p>However, as goaliedad explains, it isn't always the organization--it may be its mailing service. We received somone else's SAT scores folded in with our son's a year ago and we sent it back to the College Board.</p>
<p>I did figure it was in the mailing - a machine or something. I was thinking about last names - and they aren't close - hadn't thought about the sort by zip option. I am hoping they will refund me (but like you are doubtful).
As for the school, the financial aid director didn't mention that they get it monthly he was even looking over "what came today."<br>
SSS should definately use a masked SS # system.</p>
<p>It gets better.....
Just talked to the supervisor who was so glad I called because the family that got my forms called them....unfortunately, it was a DIFFERENT family in a differnt town that called them. So...there is at least one other family that this happened to.
Said the school report was sent same time as my report...wonder where THAT went since I've gotten mine by way of another and the school has not received it.<br>
No refund...yet. She is going to get back to me yet again when she finds out how it happened. Says they are inserted by hand, but folded by machine (could be the problem). I explained that I do indeed want a full explaination and assurances it won't happen again since we are required by schools...yadda yadda yadda. She assured me it is safe, yet had no answer when I said that clearly not since now at least 2 people had their income andchildren's SS#'s sent to other people.<br>
We'll see.....</p>
<p>Maybe when she calls you back, you could mention the possibility of masking a portion of the SSN numbers in the future!</p>
<p>I definately WILL do that.</p>
<p>Goodness. They ARE low tech!</p>
<p>Hand-stuffed envelopes with multiple single-page reports in them? That to me seems even less excuseable. That is just poor workmanship.</p>
<p>And besides the SSN on the report, look at everything else they put there. This is just ripe for identity theft. And I wonder how well they screen the low paid envelope stuffers who have full access to your personal information.</p>
<p>This is starting to get me worried.</p>
<p>I think I will nominate this thread for the headlines on CC.</p>
<p>Update:
We got a letter of apology from SSS that also stated that because of our incident, they have implemented an additional quality check in the mailin g process. The letter was good and our attorney recommended we get it in case there are ever any problems we have "proof" and can trace it back.<br>
I asked about masking the SS numbers and they said they couldn't right now.<br>
I still don't like a document going through regular mail with date of birth and SS# on it (and right next to each other!), but hopefully the new safeguards will prevent it from happening again.</p>
<p>I'm glad you got that cleared up Linda S. :)</p>