Argumentative Essay On Telephone Numbers As Identification

Although there is not a lot of risk involved with using telephone numbers as identification if the numbers are not associated with credit card numbers or available through the Internet, there are still some ways that unscrupulous employees can use the information to the disadvantage of customers. There may be other information that is associated with the phone number, such as name , address, or other personal information.
An unscrupulous employee could use the information for personal reasons, depending on how the database is set up. For example, if he or she was disgruntled with a particular individual who was a subscriber to the movie theatre and had not had success finding their phone number via a telephone directory because the number is unlisted, they could look it up at work. They may use the number to harass the individual.
Another thing an unscrupulous employee could do if the work computers have USB access or something similar is to download the database and sell the numbers. Customers may find themselves on lists for calls they never wanted to receive. The theatre could legitimately sell the numbers to third parties if they included that they were going to do so in the fine print of the agreement people make when they subscribe for the season.
Finally, an unscrupulous employee could ask unsuspecting subscribers for additional private information such as social security numbers or credit card numbers when they call. They could record this and use it for identity theft or other crimes. Although there is not much risk in using a telephone number as identification in the circumstances described, consumers should always be cautious and keep an eye on credit records and such to make sure their information is not being abused.