Identity thieves target discarded electronics
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
This warehouse is an electronics graveyard. Piles of old computers, unwanted PDA's, and outdated Blackberries end up here. And if not properly handled, they may come back to haunt you. Even though the computer is dead, its parts are very much alive containing billions of pieces of information that could put the former owner at risk.
And not just computers but even a cell phone or an iPod, can contain information useful to thieves. Peter Hoang of TechnoRescue says "social security numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, email addresses, phone numbers"
Since identify theft is the fastest growing crime in the country, more companies like Colorado-based TechnoRescue, specialize in electronic waste disposal. Here they use Department of Defense standards for electronic cleansing. They point out that just wiping clean the software and hard drive isn't enough. Fragments of information will remain that only a high level electronic cleanse can remove. And there's one other method.
Bob Sullivan, MSNBC Consumer Reporter, says "the safest way frankly is take a hammer and destroy the thing." But even that could be risky if it's not completely destroyed.
Andrew Miller of TechnoRescue says "from an information standpoint you know how to shred paper, then you should also know how to take care of your electronics." Since electronic equipment contains hazardous materials, some states have stiff penalties for improper disposal. In Colorado for example, companies could be fined up to $25,000 per incident per day for illegal dumping.
So when it's in the with new, and out with it old. For personal security it pays to consider how to safely get rid of unwanted electronic gear. Another important part of this story has to do with the environment. Electronic equipment contains a wide range of hazardous materials and many states have stiff penalties for improper disposal.
Contact your state environmental agency to find a reputable electronics recycling company.
