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Post by factfinder on Jul 28, 2015 21:00:32 GMT -5
And lo and behold, in a letter dated July 24, ODAR tells me the contractor they used for my investigation way back in 2010 has been hacked and someone (else) has my info. They offer a year's protection through a contractor- big of them I am sure. Guess plenty of other SSA judges or ex judges got the same letter. But, the kicker, for me is, I received the OPM e-mail several weeks ago on the putative Chinese Hack. That probably relates to an old TS SCI clearance. Seems everyone must have my information. I wonder if I could get SSA to give me a new number (and transfer my account information) since about everyone has mine??  Big sigh here. At this point, maybe we need to pass a law saying SSAN's cannot be used to apply for credit without a photographic government ID - no mail applications?? Yet another side benefit of being an ALJ - or a US Govt employee I guess. |
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Post by christina on Jul 29, 2015 6:01:06 GMT -5
yeah... :/
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 29, 2015 7:36:52 GMT -5
It absolutely blows. Personally, I think many more heads than just the OPM chief know nothing should have rolled. But that's just me.
Now, with that said, it's probably a good point to remind some of our wannabes that have never worked for the government about one of the lesser enjoybale parts of public service. The lack of any kind of privacy.
Those that haven't worked for a gov entity might be surprised to know a few things. Like, your salary is public record and easily found on the internet. Coming from private practice where what I made was much more fluid, but generally private, it came as a little shock to know a quick google could tell the world every penny I made last year.
And work product? There's an entire website devoted to tracking what number of cases we ALJs dispose of in a year, how we dispose of them and which offices we have worked in. By name. Even includes a great little feature to let claimant's and reps comment, anonymously, about our work, demeanor, likes and dislikes. Or to occasionally threaten us with anything from bodily harm to Godly damnation when we decide against them. Imagine such a site concerning USDC judges.
And then there's the fact that you just may see some claimant you denied walking the aisles at Walmart one Sunday afternoon. This is more likely if your office is in one of the smaller, rural areas of course. But it will most likely happen. Already happened to me. Twice.
So, while I definitely don't much care for my personal info being in the hands of the Chinese (and whomever they may decide to give it to), I find I am generally more concerned about the raving meth head I DAA denied that can easily find my salary info, dispositional info, my address....and may grow tired of just ranting about my lack of empathy and impending Godly judgment and decide to take steps to hasten my heavenly hearing.
Now, I am not exusing the breach or the morons that slept through it, but....Everyone applying for this job needs to be fully aware that your life will become significantly more public if you get it.
Good luck.
Funky
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Post by maquereau on Jul 30, 2015 6:53:23 GMT -5
Absolutely agree with Funk's breakdown of the baggage that comes with the ALJ job and with many federal jobs. For ALJs, though, people tend to be a little more curious, which is why they have whole websites devoted to analyzing their jobs and salaries and dispositions - versus, say ... those of program analysts or case technicians. Yeah, you'll see people on the outside whose claims you denied (or paid) on the inside. Once I ran into one of those people (denied) who, just a couple of weeks later was working at the local convenience store. It can be awkward.
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 30, 2015 6:58:56 GMT -5
Out of curiosity do any of you for whom it is geographically feasible think of moving outside the coverage area. We have two local ODAR hearing offices one handles counties to the north and east the other counties to south and west. This conversation makes me wonder if the judges might try to buy their eggs where their claimants don't buy theirs.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 7:37:44 GMT -5
Total agreement with Funky here.
The fact that the known world "may" have my information as obtained from OPM gets a disinterested shrug and "meh" from me as Funky aptly notes; almost all that information has been and is already public for ALJs. They, whoever they are, did not get anything that was not readily available eleswhere.
What is more disconcerting and much much more realistic is, as again the Funkmeister points out, the fact that "security" for ALJ's in what I can determine are a majority of locales is minimal at best. As I type this I am facing a large office window on the first floor facing a public area wherein any disgruntled person could wreak all sort of havoc without interference from their outside vantage point.
But more importantly, and as again Funky points true, you will sooner or later run into claimants or family/friends thereof, (you will not likely remember them, but they will definitely remember you) whom for whatever reason feel you did them wrong. Basic story is there, that once you open the door and leave the quasi-sanctuary of your federal office and step out in the wild world again each day, you are entirely on your own to handle that situation.
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Post by ibnlurkin on Jul 30, 2015 7:59:57 GMT -5
I got the letter also
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Post by Propmaster on Jul 30, 2015 12:24:47 GMT -5
Out of curiosity do any of you for whom it is geographically feasible think of moving outside the coverage area. We have two local ODAR hearing offices one handles counties to the north and east the other counties to south and west. This conversation makes me wonder if the judges might try to buy their eggs where their claimants don't buy theirs. Or legally change your name to something too common to effectively search. |
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Post by gary on Jul 30, 2015 12:49:50 GMT -5
Out of curiosity do any of you for whom it is geographically feasible think of moving outside the coverage area. We have two local ODAR hearing offices one handles counties to the north and east the other counties to south and west. This conversation makes me wonder if the judges might try to buy their eggs where their claimants don't buy theirs. Or legally change your name to something too common to effectively search. "A The, Esq." |
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Post by redryder on Jul 30, 2015 12:59:22 GMT -5
As a judge, I have never had a claimant "google" me but I did as a supervisor. The result was changing my address on any websites such as the bar association to the office address. But if nothing else, this illustrates why our behavior in the hearing is so important. Even if the claimant is denied and unhappy with your decision, he will still remember that the judge listened and appeared interested in his story. It does mitigate the sting of denial. If they think you were fair, they will forgive your for not being "right."
All of this reminds me of an incident that occurred several years ago. I was shopping in Baton Rouge one evening, after a day in court. The sales clerk said she wanted to ask me a question. Sure. No problem. Then she asked "Are you a judge?" I swear my blood ran cold. Was she someone who had appeared before me? Had I denied a claim from one of her family members? A friend of hers? I told her I was but then I had to ask her what made her ask me that. Nothing in particular. I just looked like a judge. (and no, I was not wearing my robe.)
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Post by onepingonly on Aug 7, 2015 20:53:19 GMT -5
I agree with Red. Try to treat people in the courtroom in a way that you would not be ashamed of out in the world. I have been Googled. I've had a claimant follow me into the restroom, saying in a rather creepy cadence "You're my juuuuudge!" I've had unequivocal death threats. Inside the courtroom, the claimants are seconds away, while the security guard is several minutes away. Outside the courtroom, you're on your own. Just part of the job. Chances of anything adverse actually happening are infinitesimal. The most life-threatening aspect is sitting all day.
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