State Farm review: privacy rights

I would like to let others know about my experience with Jared Swank's State Farm Insurance in Olmsted Falls.

Shortly after I purchased my home in Berea (2006), a neighbor named Gary ran from across the street over to my house. Gary is an employee of Jared Swank's office. During a conversation, Gary said to me 'When you first moved in, I scanned your name to see who you had your insurance with. I noticed you were already with State Farm'. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF MY PRIVACY RIGHTS. GARY DID NOT KNOW WHO I HAD INSURANCE WITH AND HE TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO LOOK UP MY PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR HIS OWN USE. HE DID NOT HAVE MY AUTHORITY TO DO SO. At the time, I did not do anything about it, however, I was FURIOUS.

Several months ago, I was reviewing my credit report. I noticed that State Farm Insurance reviewed my credit report through Lexis/Nexis. I was concerned AGAIN so I contacted Jared Swank's office. Jared, himself, advised me that 'State Farm will NEVER view your credit report'. He assured me of this over and over. I insisted State Farm viewed it because it was on my credit report. He, again, insisted State Farm NEVER reviews credit reports. I advised Jared of the incident I had with Gary - who WORKS AT HIS OFFICE. Jared said 'look, what you think of Gary as a neighbor has NOTHING TO DO with my company'. WELL, IT DOES HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR COMPANY WHEN GARY IS ACCESSING MY VERY PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH THE USE OF YOUR COMPANY'S PERSONAL SEARCH ENGINE AND IT IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR COMPANY! Jared also INSISTED THAT HIS AGENCY DOES NOT USE LEXIS/NEXIS NOR DO THEY HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

Needless to say, I have filed civil rights complaints through Lexis/Nexis, State Farm Insurance and the Office of the Attorney General. It became obvious to me that Jared was WRONG, as Lexis/Nexis called me to tell me that Jared told (the employee of Lexis/Nexis) that I gave State Farm the authority to look my information up as a consumer of State Farm Insurance. So, IT LOOKS LIKE STATE FARM DOES HAVE ACCESS TO LEXIS/NEXIS AND STATE FARM DID LOOK UP MY PERSONAL INFORMATION. GARY DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO LOOK UP MY INFORMATION WHEN HE DID NOT KNOW WHO I HAD INSURANCE WITH. JARED WAS WRONG WHEN HE SAID STATE FARM NEVER LOOKS UP CREDIT REPORTS. I had insurance with State Farm for nearly 20 years and never had a problem with them looking up my credit report, and now Jared is making EXCUSES for his agency? Why is there a need for all of the contradicting information?

I AM NO LONGER WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE. I HAVE FOUND A MUCH BETTER COMPANY THAT I FEEL SECURE WITH. I WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE MY BELIEF THAT MY PRIVACY RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED AND MY PERSONAL INFORMATION WAS MISUSED.