Identity Theft in Our State
Texas ranked 11th in the nation for identity theft complaints according to the Federal Trade Commission's most recent Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. For the 2017 calendar year, 33,545 complaints were filed in Texas.
The Texas Legislature has specifically enacted the following law to address this issue:
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Retention and Disposal of Business Records Act - The Retention and Disposal of Business Records Act requires businesses who dispose of business records that contain personal identifying information to "modify, by shredding, erasing, or other means, the personal identifying information to make it unreadable or undecipherable."
The Texas Attorney General has actively investigated and taken legal action against various organizations across the state in an effort to protect consumers from identity thieves, specifically citing the following law:
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Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act - The Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act states that "a business shall implement and maintain reasonable procedures…to protect and safeguard from unlawful use or disclosure any sensitive personal information collected or maintained by the business in the regular course of business."
With increased litigation and concern over identity theft, many companies are required to develop and implement strict record management practices. Corporate and consumer information, such as payroll, personnel, accounting, insurance, and client-related data, is accessible for accidental or intentional viewing if not handled properly.
The need to destroy confidential and sensitive information has created a demand for document and data destruction companies across America. Off-site destruction and basic recycling are two available services. Although claiming to be secure, these services provide ample opportunity for unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Professional on-site document and data destruction, on the other hand, provides clients with a more secure and convenient service. On-site service offers clients peace of mind by providing an unbroken chain of custody until the material is destroyed. With identity theft on the rise and privacy laws becoming more severe, this type of proper document and data destruction is often a necessity and always the best choice.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and bonded and insured for your protection, Sierra Shred will help protect your business and personal interests. We are Texans serving Texans, and we are here to help you fight identity theft.
