Topic: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a nonprofit consumer organization

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Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a nonprofit consumer organization with a two-part mission -- consumer information and consumer advocacy

Here is just ONE of the Many informative pages:  http://www.privacyrights.org/8-social-networking-privacy-tips 8 Social Networking Privacy Tips

PRC Mission and Goals

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a nonprofit consumer organization with a two-part mission -- consumer information and consumer advocacy. It was established in 1992 and is based in San Diego, California. It is primarily grant-supported and serves individuals nationwide.

 

The PRC's goals are to:

Raise consumers' awareness of how technology affects personal privacy.

Empower consumers to take action to control their own personal information by providing practical tips on privacy protection.

Respond to specific privacy-related complaints from consumers, and when appropriate, intercede on their behalf and/or refer them to the proper organizations for further assistance.

Document the nature of consumers' complaints and questions about privacy in reports, testimony, and speeches and make them available to policy makers, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and the media.

Advocate for consumers' privacy rights in local, state, and federal public policy proceedings, including legislative testimony, regulatory agency hearings, task forces, and study commissions as well as conferences and workshops.

PRC Services

A hotline for consumers to report privacy abuses and request information on ways to protect their privacy. Call (619) 298-3396 or contact us here.

An extensive series of fact sheets on privacy issues, available in English and some in Spanish.

A web site (www.privacyrights.org) that provides texts of all fact sheets, transcripts of PRC speeches and testimony, FAQ and index by topic, stories of consumers' experiences, and more.

Assistance and interviews for journalists, providing background and comments for stories.

A referral service for journalists and policymakers who are seeking victims of privacy abuses who have indicated a willingness to talk with the media and/or testify in legislative and regulatory agency hearings.

A speakers service, in which PRC staff make presentations at conferences, employee training sessions, and civic and community group meetings.


 

Awards     

 

    * PRC Director Beth Givens was the recipient of the 2010 Consumer Federation of America's Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award.

    *
      PRC Director Beth Givens was the recipient of the 2010 US Privacy Champion Award from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) in honor of Data Privacy Day, January 28, 2010. (http://epic.org/2010/01/epic-honors-us-privacy-advocat.html)

    *
      PRC Director Beth Givens received a 2002 Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

 

    *
      PRC Director Beth Givens was a year-2000 recipient of the Brandeis Award from Privacy International (www.privacyinternational.org).

 

    *
      The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and its affiliated Identity Theft Resource Center were honored with a year-2000 award from the Foundation for Improvement of Justice (www.justiceawards.com) for their work with identity theft victims.

 

    *
      The PRC received the 1997 Consumer Action Award for its "outstanding service to consumers." (www.consumer-action.org)


Browse Privacy Topics:

Privacy Basics
Background Checks & Workplace
Banking & Finance
Credit & Credit Reports
Debt Collection Education
Harassment & Stalking
Identity Theft & Data Breaches
Insurance
Junk Mail/Faxes/Email
Medical Privacy
Online Privacy & Technology
Privacy When You Shop
Public Records & Info Brokers
Social Security Numbers
Telephone Privacy



Fact Sheets
1.     Privacy Survival Guide: Take Control of Your Personal Information
1a.     Privacy Basics and Opt-Out Strategies
2.     Wireless Communications: Voice and Data Privacy
2a.     Hang Up on Harassment: Dealing with Cellular Phone Abuse
2b.     Privacy in the Age of the Smartphone
3.     How to Put an End to Unwanted or Harassing Phone Calls
4.     Junk Mail: How Did They All Get My Address?
4a.     "Shine the Light" on Marketers: Find Out How They Know Your Name
4b.     Junk Mail FAQ
5.     Telemarketing: How to Have a Quiet Evening at Home
5a.     Junk Faxes: No Relief in Sight
5b.     Frequently Asked Questions about Telemarketing
6.     How Private Is My Credit Report?
6a.     Facts on FACTA, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
6b.     "Other" Consumer Reports: What You Should Know about "Specialty" Reports
6c.     Your Credit Score: How It All Adds Up
7.     Workplace Privacy and Employee Monitoring
8.     Medical Records Privacy
8a.     HIPAA Basics: Medical Privacy in the Electronic Age
8b.     Medical Privacy FAQ
9.     Wiretapping and Eavesdropping on Telephone Calls
10.     My Social Security Number - How Secure Is It?
10a.     Social Security Numbers FAQ
11.     From Cradle to Grave: Government Records and Your Privacy
12.     Checklist of Responsible Information-Handling Practices
14.     Are You Being Stalked?
14a.     Security Recommendations For Stalking Victims
15.     What Personal Information Should You Give to Merchants?
15a.     Merchant Wallet Card for Californians
16.     Employment Background Checks: A Jobseeker's Guide
16a.     Employment Background Checks in California: New Focus on Accuracy
16b.     Small Business Owner Background Check Guide
16c.     FAQ on Employment Background Checks
16d.     Volunteer Background Checks: Giving Back Without Giving Up on Privacy
17.     Coping with Identity Theft: Reducing the Risk of Fraud
17a.     Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You
17b.     How to Deal with a Security Breach
17d.     Frequently Asked Questions about Identity Theft
17g.     Criminal Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You
18.     Online Privacy: Using the Internet Safely
18a.     Online Privacy FAQ
19.     Caller ID and My Privacy
20.     Anti-Spam Resources
21.     Children’s Online Privacy: A Resource Guide for Parents
21a.     Children's Safety on the Internet
22.     Electricity and Your Privacy: Deregulation in California
23.     Online Shopping Tips: E-Commerce and You
24.     Protecting Financial Privacy: The Burden Is on You
24a.     Financial Privacy: How to Read Your "Opt-Out" Notices
24c.     How to Shop for Financial Privacy
24d.     Financial Privacy FAQ
24e.     Is Your Financial Information Safe?
25.     Privacy Tips for Online Job Seekers
25a.     Avoiding Online Job Scams
26.     CLUE and You: How Insurers Size You Up
27.     Debt Collection Practices: When Hardball Tactics Go Too Far
27a.     Frequently Asked Questions about Debt Collection
28.     Online Privacy for Nonprofits
29.     Privacy in Education: Guide for Parents and Adult-Age Students
30.     Check 21: Paperless Banking
31.     Customer Identification Programs for Financial Transactions
32.     Paper or Plastic: What Have You Got to Lose?
33.     Identity Theft Monitoring Services
34.     Protecting Your Telephone Records: Does Your Carrier’s Privacy Policy Ring True?
35.     Social Networking Privacy: How to be Safe, Secure and Social

http://www.privacyrights.org/