14 DAY TRIAL // A box that contained files filled with sensitive information on the employees of a security company called Archangel was discovered at Frankfield Industrial Estate in Ireland by someone who was walking by.
The Irish Independent informs us that the Data Protection Agency (DPA) has started an investigation to determine how the box got there and if the individuals involved are exposed to identity theft.
It turns out that sensitive information belonging to 30 people was found, the passport data, addresses and telephone numbers being more than enough for someone to cause harm.
Curiously, the business involved is not based in Frankfield so officials have no clue on how the documents ended up there.
Besides the data that belonged to the security firm, papers that contained info on the Security Institute of Ireland were also found spread across the ground.
To get to the bottom of the case, the DPA is collaborating with the Cork County Council as they are the ones that handle littering and pollution incidents.
"First we have to get the files off the street and have them removed from an illegal dumping perspective. We will be in contact with Cork County Council and will investigate from there," a DPA representative said in a statement.
Like in many cases seen before, it will probably turn out that the documents belonged to a firm that went bankrupt or which no longer does business in the area, that failed to ensure their employees will be protected from identity theft.
In these situations it's hard to find the ones responsible and even if someone will be found they will probably point the blame on others until the case is dropped.
The cases we learn about seem to have a happy ending, but what happens to the cases we don't learn about? A lot of individuals around the world might suffer because of the indifference of their former employers.