I have a growing and I think legitimate concern. Asking experience and consensus.

When we fill out our pay slips at the start of the game - there is a lot of valuable and personal data made available, in duplicate and left laying around the cash box.

As a reasonably aware reader of current events the increase of identity theft is a growing and extremely frustrating occurrence.

A name, address and Social security number – as is placed on all our pay sheets – could be a disaster in the wrong hands.

Comments?

I know your feeling. I have actually stopped putting my SS# on my contracts. If they need it I have no problem giving it to them, however the AD of the school is going to have to call me and request it.

I won't put my SS# on a credit card application let alone give it to a coach or AD.

If they need it they're gonna have to request it.

This makes me glad that all my pay is filtered through the association, that way they're the only ones who have my personal information.

We get paid directly by the schools. Every game will fill out new vouchers requesting SS# and other information.

They are left with the cash box. Heavens knews where that goes and who gets their hands on it.

While I can understand your concern, most of the places I have gone has security at the table because of the cash (we generally complete the paperwork there so a district/school employee is sure the information is gathered). That makes it less likely that someone, other than those working "the gate" is going to get the information.

Besides, there is nothing to stop anyone working for any of the schools from randomly handing out that information on any individual being paid.

Guess you could ask that the information be put in a "secure" area (like maybe folded and put in the bottom of the cash box) but I'm not sure that would dramatically reduce your risk.

In Illinois, officials need to opt out of having their address and phone number posted on the IHSA general website. Anyone who so desires can go to the site, click on officials directory and get that information.

Wow, that's not good at all. Why do refs not get this changed?

I give them Chuck's SS# so it's not a concern for me.

:D

I think the main reason is because this is where AD's get their contact information. I could be wrong. I know as officials, in our Official's Center, we have a feature that we can look up officials, etc. I'm not sure if this feature is a part of the School's Center or not. I would guess it would be, but sometimes the way AD's call me asking if I know anyone makes me wonder.

If one is that concerned about it, why not just throw a few envelopes in your bag. Put the pay slip in the envelope when you complete it and seal it.

Our roster is available on our website, but not to the public. You have to apply for a password, and have it granted. Surely the IHSA could do that for AD's and refs.

Even with our website showing our contact info, I wouldn't want my SS# being posted on the site.

Refs have their own ID number (used for ratings) and it's their login. Only officials can access this page. You can, take exams, search for officials, change your personal information, etc. AD have their own as well because they are allowed to rate officials. So I would guess they have this feature as well. Just makes me wonder sometimes! :) And actually, I'm heading over to IHSA right now to get my name pulled.

While I don't do basketball I do officiate football, and we normally have to complete the paperwork before the game. We simply hand it to the AD. Why can't you do this with you basketball vouchers?

In my part of Indiana, there is a spot of our SS# on the contracts. We Simply Write "On File" in that spot.

At the games, we just have to sign our names on a paper. This paper only has our name on it and the amount we were paid!

I did contact IHSA about this being public and was informed it was setup that way to allow schools, ADs, etc. to find officials. I suggested that appropriate people be given password access to this list, and that it not be available to the public, but was rejected.

I guess they'll change it after some angry parent looks up an official's address and comes after them for a bad call.

Grail is right. You don't need a password to get addresses, phone numbers, etc. off of the IHSA list. The ratings, licences, test scores, etc are restricted, but anyone can access the officials list.

I'm licensed in Indiana, too, but I don't know how they handle it on their website.

Just curious, do you folks claim the money you make from reffing on your taxes?

Absolutely. I fill out a Schedule C or C-EZ to declare my income and expenses. I don't think you're going to get many people to say "no" on this question since in doing so they would be creating evidence that could be used against them in an audit....

TJ,

Your social security number is not made public. Only your mailing address, ID number and ranking. If we are looking up an official on our personal webpage, we can find someone and their address and phone numbers. That is it. I personally have no problem with that because it helps people contact me much easier.

Peace

An official can restrict the information from being publically available -- that is, NOT available under the "officials directory" link.

The information is still avaialbale to those with a log-in (officials center / officials search).

in indiana, they have a site for the public it is http://www.ihsaa.org, there is no information on here. The ads can login onto a site at http://www.ihsaa.net and view and search for officials there.

I, as association president, have access to this site!

it is one thing that I feel they are current about and would applaud this system!

JRut,

Yes I know our SS# isn't shown to the public! ;) Speaking of which.... anyone having problems logging onto your IHSA account?

You might have had a problem because they put update all the ratings and other information on Thursday. I got in with no problem.

Peace

tj1,
Nope. No problems. BT

Didn't get to get back earlier... but my "problem"... had the caps lock on! ;)

Iyy outa......
 

Ya think there TJ. :D

Peace

tj1,
Where were you when I needed you tonight? I was across the border with big county rivalry between a team who likes to run and gun and one who likes to take the air out of the ball. My partner couldn't show. The school finally found someone at 5:30 but he hasn't done a game in 3 years. (It pains me to say that it really showed!) I T'd up visiting coach. At half warned visiting scorekeeper, and told a fan if he opened him mouth again I'd have him removed. Wouldn't you have liked to had this much fun?

I was in Casey tonight calling the JV/V girls game. Wasn't too bad I guess. I got through it. Sounds like you had some problems. Hope everything worked out ok.