License info being sold

allnurses Guide · Nov 17, 2016

I get a lot of junk snail mail; the BON lists of registered nurses is public information. You can type a name into the database online to see if someone has an active license.

Wuzzie · Nov 17, 2016

Heck our BON actually SELLS their roster to turn a profit. Nice huh?!

elkpark · Nov 17, 2016

Heck our BON actually SELLS their roster to turn a profit. Nice huh?!

Yes, a bunch of states do this. To be fair, the info is public record, and what the BONs are selling is the convenience of a compiled, ready-to-use database. I don't like the idea, either, but I console myself with the thought that doing this may be keeping our licensure fees down.

caliotter3 · Nov 17, 2016

One of my employers said that their company buys the list of nurses from the Boards after I asked how they knew to send me one of their solicitations. I found out that the information is given to the public when I inquired regarding another situation. I was told that an individual nurse could make her information non-public by going through a request process when she is a victim of stalking, domestic violence, etc. I looked at the process and thought one would probably be dead before they could get any benefit from that policy.

Extra Pickles · Nov 17, 2016

my state bon website only lists my name and license number and the town I live in. No address of phone number, if they did that I think I'd flip out. and I don't think having that info would keep your fees down it just makes John Q.Public happier and that's the name of the game isn't it.

Wuzzie · Nov 17, 2016

One of my employers said that their company buys the list of nurses from the Boards after I asked how they knew to send me one of their solicitations. I found out that the information is given to the public when I inquired regarding another situation. I was told that an individual nurse could make her information non-public by going through a request process when she is a victim of stalking, domestic violence, etc. I looked at the process and thought one would probably be dead before they could get any benefit from that policy.

I had the same issue. I wanted it removed so my crazy ex couldn't find me. It would have taken an act of God. I did mess with the person I talked to. I asked for her full name and address (if she has mine I should be able to have hers) and told her that I was keeping a record of it so if my ex hurt or killed me my family knew who to name in a lawsuit. I know, it was mean but I just don't agree that the public has the right to my personal information like my address.

WereBadger · Nov 17, 2016

I've been dealing with this for the past year or so, and discovered it's due to my state BON selling my personal information. I had to contact them directly (and repeatedly) to make sure that they stopped, had to follow many of these websites to their host and formally ask them to delete my information and then follow up with anyone that those sites had previously sold my info on to. Maddening.

This year when I renewed my license, I noticed that there was a box to click if you didn't want your details sold off; fingers crossed that it actually works.

#wontgiveup · Nov 18, 2016

I've been dealing with this for the past year or so, and discovered it's due to my state BON selling my personal information. I had to contact them directly (and repeatedly) to make sure that they stopped, had to follow many of these websites to their host and formally ask them to delete my information and then follow up with anyone that those sites had previously sold my info on to. Maddening.
This year when I renewed my license, I noticed that there was a box to click if you didn't want your details sold off; fingers crossed that it actually works.

The sad part about it is this particular website does not allow you to delete it.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2016

If you own property, your address is public information. In my state, you can have your name deleted from the tax rolls only if you are the victim of domestic violence, are a judge, and a couple of other things I can't remember.

But in general, it's hard to keep your address out of the public domain if you own property. My BON does not post addresses, but the public can access you to see if your license is current.

Wuzzie · Nov 18, 2016

If you own property, your address is public information. In my state, you can have your name deleted from the tax rolls only if you are the victim of domestic violence, are a judge, and a couple of other things I can't remember.
But in general, it's hard to keep your address out of the public domain if you own property. My BON does not post addresses, but the public can access you to see if your license is current.

Very true but it would be much harder for a patient to determine my address from the county website (I don't think it's on a state roster but I may be wrong) then it is from the BON. I wouldn't mind if they looked me up to see if I had an active license it's giving out where I live that bothers me.

Buyer beware, BSN · Nov 18, 2016

OP:

This is a huge problem and going on for years especially with the emergence of the internet.

What the miscreants used to do and still do, and there was a post on this lately, is when a nurse male or female passes away the deceased significant other will assume their identity and it's business as usual.

Possibly other "allnurses" posters can speak to this issue with greater expertise as I believe there is a lingering suspicion that the "fail-safes we all believe exist maybe do not.