Mariott Latest Company To "Lose" Consumer Data

Marriott's time-share division admitted this week that it could not find personal consumer information, including Social Security Numbers, for more than 200,000 consumers. The company said in a statement that the records may simply be "lost", but could not rule out theft.

We regret this situation has occurred and realize this may cause concern for our associates and customers," said Stephen P. Weisz, MVCI president. "We have recently mailed notifications to associates, timeshare owners and timeshare customers and are available to answer any questions they may have."

Consumer advocates, meanwhile, continue to express concern over the millions of cases of identity theft occcuring each year, many of which can be traced back to data breaches. "Organizations that handle sensitive consumer data must be held accountable for any use of that data," said Consumer Help Web President Joan Bounacos. "We encourage Congress to enact severe penalties for organizations who breach consumer trust by losing personal data and endangering consumer credit and other records."

Privacy expert Robert Douglas echoed Bounacos' comments on his web site, PrivacyToday.com, reporting that he had told The Washington Post, "For the longest time, people have said it's the consumers' fault. They don't shred their bank statements at home, or what have you. But since the California law was passed now we are learning how much of this information has been breached and is floating around out there."

Marriott joins multiple corporations who have reported data breaches this year, including ChoicePoint and LexisNexis.

posted by Consumer Help Web Editorial Team at 11:47 PM |