Identity Theft in the News

Identity Theft knows no bounds. All businesses, big and small, are vulnerable to this complex and rising crime. Any business or organization that gathers any personal information or account numbers are at risk. Although businesses have several choices to dispose of confidential information, on-site shredding is, and always will be, the most prudent and convenient method available. Following are some examples of information handling gone wrong.

Legal

Document dumping

Source: 11/20/01 Fox 13 Investigates (continued from Financial News)

Nothing would prepare us for what we found elsewhere. You’d think this dumpster was a filing cabinet, because it was filled with complete files, videotapes, and medical information. At first, we weren’t sure where it all came from. But we were able to trace the files to the law firm of Michael Stepakoff. The firm’s office was just a few doors away. They were in the process of relocating.

We found detailed files on rape cases – including victims’ photos and video depositions. We also found information from other case files: names, addresses and one social security number after another.

“It makes me mad to think that someone would do that,” says Tina Gamble. We tracked her down after finding her medical records, address and social security number among the files. “… a lawyer. He would know. He should know. It just makes me mad.” Then she asks, “Why would they just throw my stuff in the dumpster like that? Anybody could just pick it up.”

We went to the new office of Michael Stepakoff to get an explanation. “Frankly, I don’t know what you want to talk to me about,” Stepakoff tells Glenn. He would not comment on camera. But off camera he tells Glenn he has discarded files in this way before and sees nothing wrong with it. He says he doesn’t have the manpower to shred files. He says he sees no risk in doing what he did.

Adoption papers left in the trash

Source: Sun-Sentinel

Confidential adoption papers of a deceased lawyer were found stiffed in plastic garbage bags and an empty cardboard fruit box. Among the “private” information found was:

Ê Information on a college-bound New Jersey teenager who didn’t want her family to know about the baby she delivered and gave up for adoption in South Florida.

Ê Papers from a Hialeah couple unable to have a child because the wife became infertile after using an intrauterine contraceptive.

Ê Details about the pregnancy and family history of a 14-year-old – a child having a child.

A salesman found the documents inside a Dumpster while emptying his trash.

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