981- Present Editor/Publisher of Privacy Times
Since 1981, I have been Editor/Publisher of Privacy Times, a biweekly, Washington-based newsletter that reports on privacy and information law, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The newsletter ranges from 8-12 pages, 23 issues per year. Thus, I have researched, written, edited and published many articles on Congressional and State legislative actions, judicial opinions, industry trends and actions, executive branch policies and consumer news as they related to the FCRA.
1992 - Present Expert Witness
Qualified by the federal courts in FCRA and identity theft cases. (Complete list attached). I have read extensive deposition testimony by credit bureau and credit grantor personnel. This is significant because CRAs and credit grantors do not openly discuss or publish information on their procedures and practices for handling personal data, and the best (and possibly only) sources for finding candid descriptions of CRAs' and credit grantors' procedures and practices in relation to credit reporting data are the depositions of CRA and credit grantor employees in FCRA litigation.
1998 - Present Privacy Expert Consultant, U.S. Social Security Administration
Regularly review policies and practices in relation to the collection, use and disclosure of personal data and Social Security numbers and provide feedback and recommendations.
2002 - 2004 Member, Experian Consumer Advisory Council
Along with other Council members, I provide an outsider's view on credit reporting, marketing and other privacy issues.
July - October 2002 Consultant to U.S. Postal Service
Working with the USPS's Chief Privacy Officer, I assisted in reviewing and editing the re-write of the USPS's Privacy Act notices, with an emphasis on "Plain English."
Recent Testimony Before Congress & The FTC
"Identity Theft: Recent Developments Involving the Security of Sensitive Consumer Information," Senate Banking Committee, March 15, 2005
"The Accuracy of Credit Report Information and the Fair Credit Reporting Act;" Senate Banking Committee, July 10, 2003
"The Role of FCRA in the Credit Granting Process," House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions & Consumer Credit, June 12, 2003
"Database Security: Finding Out When Your Information Has Been Compromised," Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information, Nov. 4, 2003
Fighting Fraud: Improving Information Security," House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions & Consumer Credit, and Oversight, April 3, 2003
"Information Flows: The Costs and Benefits to Consumers and Businesses of The Collection and Use of Consumer Information," Federal Trade Commission, National Workshop, June 18, 2003
Books
Credit Scores and Credit Reports: How The System Really Works, What You Can Do (Privacy Times, 2004)
Your Right To Privacy: A Basic Guide To Legal Rights In An Information Society (2nd Edition, Southern Illinois University Press, 1990), (Includes a chapter on credit reporting)
Former Secrets: Government Records Made Public Through The Freedom of Information Act (Campaign For Political Rights, 1982)
International Lectures
24th International Conference of Data Protection & Privacy Commissioners (Cardiff, Wales - Presentation published in conference proceedings, 2002)
The 23rd International Conference of Data Protection Commissioners (Paris, La Sorbonne - Presentation published in conference proceedings, 2001)
The 22nd Annual Conference on Data Protection (Venice, Italy -- 2000)
The 16th Annual Conference on Data Protection (The Hague, The Netherlands -- 1994).
In the 1980s, served as an expert consultant to both the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Privacy Commissioner of Australia.
Presentations/Instruction At Recent CLE & Professional Seminars
"The New FACT Act: Challenge & Opportunity," Privacy & American Business, Feb. 9-10, 2004
"Understanding the FACT Act And The Impact of Multi-Agency Rulewriting Process," Glasser LegalWorks, Sept. 28-29. 2004
"12th Annual National Conference," National Credit Reporting Association, Nov. 10-12, 2004
"Advanced Consumer Litigation," Texas Bar CLE, Feb. 10-11, 2005
"Financial Privacy Litigation," (Impact of FACT Act), Practicing Law Institute, February 28- March 1 (New York City)
Professional Societies
Past President and Board Member, American Society of Access Professionals
www.accesspro.org
Industry Certification
FCRA Certification, National Credit Reporting Association (www.ncrainc.org).
Media
In addition to being a paid consultant and special guest on CNN's IMPACT news in 1996, I am quoted regularly by major and small newspapers (including The Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek and Money Magazine), regarding issues of privacy generally and the privacy implications of consumer reporting specifically. I have appeared on ABC Nightline and World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, CNN News Watch, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, various local affiliates, and such shows as the Oprah Winfrey Show and Geraldo, regarding a wide range of privacy issues.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Columbia College, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. (1979)
Evan Hendricks P.O. Box 302
Cabin John, MD 20818
(301) 229 7002
(301) 229 8011 [fax)
www.privacytimes.com