Confidential Records Taken From Tax Filing Office Found In Dumpster
A man found hundreds of tax documents discarded in a dumpster at a Mansfield industrial office complex which was only ten miles away from the Liberty Tax Alta Mesa office in Fort Worth in which they were filed at.
The man who found the documents, called a woman in Mansfield to let her know that her personal information was found in that dumpster.
The records contained social security numbers, addresses, drivers license numbers, and bank account information.
Authorities are investigating the dumping and theft of the documents according to the owner of the franchise.
Past employees and current are being asked questions about this incident.
According to Liberty Tax officials, all the customers will be contacted about this security breach and identity protection will be given to all of them.
If a data breach ever happens within your company find out how our CSR Readiness Program could benefit you.
To learn more about how Mobile Record Shredders can protect your documents and hard drives, please contact us to get a free quote and security risk assessment.
Confidential documents found in a recycling dumpster
It appears that the documents found in the dumpster are linked to a Hillsboro Law Group. Most of the documents were tax returns with social security information on them.
Hundreds of records of confidential legal documents were found in a recycling dumpster in Hillsboro. The documents contained information of emails, delicate customer records, and tax returns with social security numbers on them.
A lady who worked at a nearby business who shared a recycling dumpster with the company found the confidential information. “I was appalled that this information was just sitting there,” said Melissa.
“I took out my recycling and all these law papers were just sitting on top of the boxes,” said Melissa. “This could be a gold mine in the wrong hands.”
According to Melissa most of the documents seemed to be connected with a law group that has an office close by. She said she emailed and called St. Andrew Legal Clinic in Hillsboro but never got a response.
Just days after Melissa found the documents in the dumpster and after she had notified the law office, it was discovered that most of the documents had been removed. However, there were still legal records and receipts still in the open dumpster.
One form titled “Intake Sheet” included the contact information, name of the customer, the person’s recent wage information, estimated retainer and attorney’s fees, along with why the person needed legal assistance.
This man’s information was located and his information was returned to him.
“It’s upsetting to know that all of my personal information is not being disposed of properly,” said Brendan.
Read the rest of the article here.
Secure shredding services to help you!
Organizations are often in need of shredding services to ensure documents are securely disposed of.
Companies that generally need security for their documents do not have the equipment necessary to ensure documents stay confidential, such as locked consoles to house documents before shredding.
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Confidential Means Confidential
Companies keep confidential information about their customers and employees in house and out of harms way of identity theft and fraud. When it’s time to dispose of that confidential information, organizations are increasing spending more and more money to address the security of those they have information for.
Organizations are seeing approximately a 15% increase in financing toward confidential document destruction. This not only means companies are understanding the treats that identity theft and fraud pose to their companies, but it also means they are more willing to securely dispose of documents at risk and keep their employee and customer information safe.
At Mobile Record Shredders, we are here to help companies and individuals with their document destruction needs. We have best practices in place to ensure your documents are properly disposed of and out of reach from harm. Our AAA NAID certification ensures of following strict processes and procedures. In order to qualify for this certification, we have gone through rigorous, unannounced audit programs that ensure we are following NAID best practices and keeping security at the highest of standards.
Contact us for more information about how we can keep your confidential information, confidential.
How did shredding become a reality?
It was once extremely uncommon for documents to be shredded by non-government entities. Until a 1984 Supreme Court case ruled that information can be seized through a defendants trash receptacle without warrant. As soon as this ruling was made this became a very large concern about liability and the vulnerabilities that it was creating for those not properly destroying their documents.
The United States Federal Trade Commission estimates that over 9 million cases of identity theft occurs per year. It is recommended by the federal government that individuals defend themselves against identity theft by shredding any document that contains personal information.
Furthermore, privacy laws such as HIPPA, FACTA, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, require companies to properly destroy personal documents to avoid the unauthorized disclosure of personal information. If these documents are not properly destroyed, the law now says it carries both criminal and civil implications if not properly destroyed.
The following documents are examples of what should be shred:
- Social Security Cards
- Birth Certificates
- Copies of Wills
- Death Certificates
- Marriage Licenses
- Divorce Papers
- Military Records
Shred for your safety, yourself, and your employees. Contact us for more information about how we can help save you.
