Several boxes packed full of sensitive, personal information were found this week in a Florence dumpster.
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The discovery has police and the Department of Consumer Affairs working to find out how it got there and who could be at risk.
From social security numbers with names, to checking account numbers, to possibly healthcare records, there are personal records from as many as 1,000 people.
The files are from Mega Force Employment on Second Loop Road in Florence. The company helps people find temporary work.
On Monday, a worker from a company next door spotted the papers in a dumpster. She called the Department of Consumer Affairs who notified Florence police.
Investigators quickly seized the information.
A Consumer Affairs spokesperson says the files will be turned over to them as early as Wednesday, and at some point they will be destroyed.
Officials say the information was probably exposed for just a day or two. Although it appears to have just been a close call, officials urge anyone connected with Mega Force to be careful.
We tried to call the Mega Force office but it was after hours and there was no answer.
The spokesperson from Consumer Affairs says right now there's no law to be broken here, but that could be changing soon.
The legislature has passed something called the ID Theft Bill which includes a provision that would fine businesses that improperly dispose of highly sensitive material.
If you've done business with Mega Force in Florence, here's what the Consumer Affairs Office suggests you do:
- Check your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
- Put a hold, freeze or alert on your bank account
- You can also call the Department of Consumer Affairs toll free at 1-800-922-1594 or click on the link below.
