Tracking Political Donors Online

With a click of the mouse and a few keystrokes, you can find out if your neighbors are giving money to a presidential hopeful.

By plugging in an address or zip code to http://www.fundrace.org/, a list appears showing the names of people making donations.

The name of the candidate and the amount of money is included and it even gives a donor’s address and occupation.

Kathleen Martin gave money to the Howard Dean campaign. NBC11 found her on a list and tracked her down at her home in San Jose. “There is something wrong with that … that you found me,” said Martin.

The information available does not end there. Maps of large cities like San Francisco also show the hot spots for campaign contributions and even highlights the big spenders.

According to computer industry analyst Rob Enderle, it’s all perfectly legal. “If it’s a matter of public record, you would be surprised what is in the public record,” said Enderle.

For the people on these Web site lists, it may be unsettling to think that their personal information is out on the Internet for the world to see.