Clanci, it's incredibly easy to find ssn's and other private data on the county sites. For criminals, it is much easier than rumbling through someones dumpster and with virtually no exposure to being caught.

You should remember too that many if not most identity thieves do not recide within the US. When the records are recklessly placed online they don't need to. It isn't just the easiest way for criminals to get your information,  for those who live outside the country, online is the ONLY way - no matter who puts the data there. It was never intended to be seen outside the jurisdiction.

Typically, stolen identities are not used by the criminal who gathers the information but are instead sold online in black market websites where they go for anywhere from $10 to $75.

Criminals don't often give up their sources but there are cases across the US where criminals point the the finger at county websites. In the case of Arizona, while Maricopa County officials were making the argument that the information was difficult to find on their websites, a young drug addict was showing local police just how easy it is to silently steal identies from the county site.