Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Feds Check Credit Reports Without a Subpoena

Posted by kdawson on from the thanks-Patriot-Act dept.

An anonymous reader points out that, by using National Security Letters, the FBI and other agencies can legally pull your credit report. The letters have been used by the FBI (mostly) but in some cases by the CIA and Defense Department. From the article: "'These statutory tools may provide key leads for counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations,' Whitman said. 'Because these are requests for information rather than court orders, a DOD request under the NSL statutes cannot be compelled absent court involvement.'" Recipients of the letters, banks and credit bureaus, usually hand over the requested information voluntarily. A posting at tothecenter.com quotes the Vice President on the use of the letters: "It's perfectly legitimate activity. There's nothing wrong or illegal with it. It doesn't violate people's civil rights... The Defense Department gets involved because we've got hundreds of bases inside the United States that are potential terrorist targets."

3 of 290 comments (clear)

  1. we've got hundreds of bases... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    we've got hundreds of bases inside the United States that are potential terrorist targets

    And we don't want those bases blown up by terrorists with bad credit.

    1. Re:we've got hundreds of bases... by dr_dank · · Score: 4, Funny

      And we don't want those bases blown up by terrorists with bad credit.

      Come on down for our jihad financing special. Bad credit? No credit? You work, you jihad!

      --
      Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
  2. Re:Well, Dick Cheney would know... by IcyNeko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey guys, why do i suddenly have an account in the Cayman islands in the name of "Bobby Bo's Bread Shop"? And when did i suddenly take a $2 million loan from a Saudi oil company?

    Guys?... Gu-...