House of Representatives Cracks Down on Sale of Social Security Numbers

WASHINGTON, DC - A House of Representatives panel has approved a bill, called the Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Protection Act. The bill will mean that government agencies will no longer add SSN's on identity cards, medical tags, checks or other highly visible cards or tags. The bill will also ban the sale of SSNs, with some exceptions. Those who oppose the bill point out that the new law needs more exceptions for legitimate uses. Currently, SSNs can still be shared for health care, national security or law enforcement purposes. However, opponents of the bill argue that exceptions should also be made for employee background checks and private investigators, who under the new legislation, would have a much harder time getting SSNs.

Victims' Families In Albuquerque Seek Answers

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - There are about 400 unsolved crime cases in Albuquerque. Two of these involve the murders of Scott Brewster and Kaitlyn Arquette, unrelated crimes that date back to the late 1980s. The cases have not been solved and families have expressed anger over the way that the cases have been handled. Arquette's family and Albuquerque private investigator Pat Caristo gathered information about the Kaitlyn Arquette slaying, but the family claims that information was never properly used.

In Ireland, Social Welfare Data Leaked to PIs Mean Big Fines

IRELAND - Irish social welfare officials who leak private information to PIs employed by insurance companies may face fines of up to 100,000 Euros under newly enforced laws. Under the Data Protection Act, employees convicted in the Circuit Court of sharing personal information face 100,000 Euros in fines or face 3,000 Euros in fines if convicted in the District Court. An investigation by the Data Protection Commissioner has found some recent leaks that could only come from welfare staff and the Department of Social and Family Affairs has vowed to crack down on employees who abuse the laws.

Great News for PIs in LA: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline Hire PIs

LOS ANGELES, CA - LA PI's take note: Britney Spears and husband Kevin Federline, still in the process of divorce are reportedly hiring PIs to find evidence that can be used in the custody and divorce battle. The stakes are high, with millions of dollars and the custody of their children on the line. It is possible that the pair will hire a team of investigators each to get all the information. Allegedly, Federline hired an investigator as early as March and has already been able to gather evidence against his wife.

Association of British Insurers Issues Investigator Warning

GREAT BRITAIN - This past week, the Association of British Insurers issued a warning to insurance companies, advising them to check the credentials of hired private investigators to ensure that those investigators operate within the law. The ABI, in conjunction with the PI industry and the Information Commissioner's Office have developed guidelines that insurers can use when hiring investigators.

PI Seeks to Unravel Mystery of B.C.'s 'Highway of Tears'

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - Ray Michalko, retired RCMP officer and private investigator, has been spending about 40 hours a week over the past 18 months investigating the disappearance of women along the infamous "highway of tears" in British Columbia, Canada. Michalko has found some leads he has been able to pass onto the RCMP. Since 1974, nine women have either turned up dead or have disappeared between Prince George and Prince Rupert on Highway 16, a section now known as the "highway of tears." A group of women have founded a trust to provide funding for Michalko's investigation.