IDENTITY THEFT BY HEWLETT PACKARD BOARD? PART II.

Supporters of HP’s new Chairperson Patricia Dunn have been denying that HP broke the law in seeking telephone records of a board member by impersonating that board member. In an attempt to stop “leaks” of board room discussions, the Chairperson appears to have hired outside investigators to determine who was leaking information. The outside investigators resorted to the usual tactics of “pretexting” in seeking the telephone records of a board member who has since resigned over these unethical practices.

“Pretexting” is another name for the illegal act of seeking information through impersonation. In order to release private information such as telephone numbers called, companies will require authentication information such as Social Security Number, mother's maiden name, and other information to ensure that they are not revealing the information to identity thieves. HP would have had this verification information readily available in its personnel files for all board members.

While defenders of HP equivocate as to the legality of the investigators action, the Financial Times provided the following information in this morning’s issue: “According to the consumer advisory issued by the Federal Trade Commission, pretexting is against the law”. In KnightsBridge Castle’s opinion “pretexting” is against both federal and California laws and is clearly illegal and constitutes identity theft.

Here in Silicon Valley, HP has a long and proud history and a record of unparalled ethical practices and community involvement. That the petty squabbles of board members would lead this catastrophe is unforgivable. In the words of the California Attorney General “I have no settled view as to whether or not the chairwoman’s acts were illegal, but I do think they were colossally stupid”.