Single in Minneapolis were not left out this Valentines day. They didn't get roses but they did get to have some fun with shredders. The Midtown Global Market sponsored a "Shred the Love" event. People were invited to bring in gifts and cards from past loves and run them through the shredder.

There is nothing like a bit of shredding to make a day better.

The Anti-Gym was recently shuttered by the IRS for a failure to pay payroll taxes but it looks like the former clients of the gym were the real losers. That is because detailed and personal information was left in the dumpster behind the gym. This included the standard fodder for an identity thief. It also had some very personal information that clients had shared with their trainers. The information was stored in client files. The owner said he was not responsible for the documents ending in the dumpster because he was locked out by the IRS but witnesses disagree. [full story]

I hope that bankruptcy courts allow businesses to spend a little on a shredding service to protect the personal information a business maintains.

Through an "unfortunate oversight" Southern Satellite decided to dump their customers information into the dumpster. This included names, addresses, social security numbers and even credit card numbers. The information was discovered and reported to Channel 9 and the police. Southern Satellite installs dishes in the area. Perhaps it is time to find a Florida shredding service

See the video.

The FTC has filed a complaint against First Interstate Mortgage Corporation ( FIM ) and Nevada One Corporation ( Nevada One ) for failure to shred. The companies owned by one group contracted with customers to maintain personal information under FACTA. However, 40 boxes of personal information covered under the contract and FACTA were later found in a dumpster. The case now moves to U.S. the District Court for Nevada.

It appears that you can add the FTC to the local media, and the Texas AG as people out to get companies who fail to protect their customers with document destruction programs.

Read the PR

I am sure when you are in an ambulance the last thing you are worried about is your personal information. However, people who got a ride from Express EMS Services in Houston Texas are wondering about it today. A self proclaimed dumpster diver found all the personal information an identity thief would need. He notified KTRK who came out and took some great video of the dumpster.

Any company in Texas that risks throwing personal information in the trash when you know the AG is targeting the practice is not very bright. Stay tuned for the post about the fine they will be paying.

If you are in Houston and don't want to pay big fines to the state then stop by Shred Nations to start your shredding.