Radio Shack Sued For Throwing Away Customer Information

from the just-dump-it-in-the-trash dept

Tue, Apr 3rd 2007 7:38am — Mike Masnick

We've had plenty of stories about companies and gov't agencies losing laptops or hard drives potentially revealing a a ton of private info, but apparently Radio Shack decided to go a more low tech route in exposing customer private info. The amusingly named Witty Nickname writes in to let us know that the Texas Attorney General has sued Radio Shack after it discovered that a store was simply throwing out paper records that included customer names, social security numbers and credit cards. All you had to do was walk by and pull some of the paperwork out of the company's trash bins and you could have all you needed for identity theft or credit card fraud. Of course, this raises another question: why was Radio Shack recording SSNs and credit cards in the first place?

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Oliver Wendell Jones, 3 Apr 2007 @ 7:48am

Just a guess
I would guess they were recording this info for potential cell phone customers and/or people applying for Radio Shack credit.

Neither of which is a good enough reason to record information and then discard it in such an unsafe way...
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cb, 3 Apr 2007 @ 7:58am

You got questions.......we have answers
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Sanguine Dream, 3 Apr 2007 @ 8:09am

My guess
I'm with comment #1. Radio Shack does have a credit card so that would explain why they had the info but I do wonder why it was being kept on paper and not on a pc.
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thecaptain, 3 Apr 2007 @ 8:29am

I'm sure some people just gave it away
At my Radio Shack they'd ask for progressively more personal info until you said "no".

Ie: First your name, then address, then phone number, then birthdate, I would not be surprised if they asked for SSN (I found this out while waiting in line...this guy finally drew the line at birthdate).

At first I enjoyed giving them false info, but they don't really care either way.
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OMAC, 3 Apr 2007 @ 8:30am

The only way to get a credit card or cell phone is to provide your SSN. Your SSN is then associated with your account, and if you have ever tried to call the 800 number for you credit card they ask for the last four numbers (usually) of your SSN to prove your identity.

You shouldn't be asking why they were storing this data, but why they thought it was a good idea to throw it out.
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Radioshack Employee, 3 Apr 2007 @ 8:53am

Radioshack just instated a new filing policy company wide. Store managers were instructed to leave all the boxes in the back room until the shredding company comes and picks up the boxes. They contained Verizon/Airtouch and Sprint contracts, and thousands of store copies of credit card receipts, in addition to Radioshack Credit card applications. There are 5 years or more of records in these boxes. Although we hope this is an isolated incident.... there is the chance that more of the 4000+ stores have done the same...
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dave, 3 Apr 2007 @ 8:54am

kramer
"why does radioshack ask your for your postal code when you buy batteries?...I don't know."
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Radioshack Employee, 3 Apr 2007 @ 8:58am

Radioshack asks for your zip code because they like to know what customers buy in what areas, and where they live.... So they can decide where to move stores and develop marketing strategies for each zone. Other retailers do the same....
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Witty Nickname, 3 Apr 2007 @ 9:17am

From the article
"The records had information of a local woman who purchased a paper shredder from RadioShack to protect herself from identity theft."

They make it seem like she only bought the paper shredder. I guess she may have gotten her phone from there as well though.
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Another RS Employee, 3 Apr 2007 @ 9:18am

Yeah and we only ask for the Zip Code for our system so if you come back we have you in. If you get a store account we already have your address to send the bill to.
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Gutless Wonder, 3 Apr 2007 @ 9:19am

Re:
Lowe's has started doing the same thing - asking for ZIP code or phone number. When I'm asked for personal information for a minor purchase, I generally give them their ZIP code or phone number, or simply refuse. Last time I was in Radio Shack (to buy a $3 battery) they insisted they couldn't make the sale if I didn't disclose my phone number, ZIP code, pet's name, date of birth, mother's maiden name, place of birth, etc. So I took my business elsewhere. There is nothing that Radio Shit sells that I can't get somewhere else, and without the invasion of my privacy.
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Another RS Employee, 3 Apr 2007 @ 9:20am

Im not sure how some of the bigger stores do it, but here we will ask for Name, Address, zipcode and phone number, but that is only for things over $25
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Cunk, 3 Apr 2007 @ 10:32am

Re:
What about the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of other retail stores that could potentially be just as careless? That what has me worried. This isn't just a Radio Shack problem -- they were just the ones that got caught.
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Concerned_Consumer, 3 Apr 2007 @ 10:38am

Yeah, but it's none of RS's business where I live. I simply want to buy something, not give you my life information. Whether it's a $1 resistor or a $300 remote control car, it's none of your damn business what my name or address is. Just sell me the goods so I can go home. You keep track of store inventory already to know what products you sell in what areas. That should be enough.
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August West, 3 Apr 2007 @ 10:58am

Happens all the time
Stores here in Charlotte NC ask that crap all the time. "Can I have your Zip code? Can I get your Phone number? What year were you born?" I just make up random crap every time. I fill out my grocery store cards (the ones you have to scan in order to get the sale prices) with Jimi Hendrix, John Bonham, James D Morrison, etc.
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Eric the Grey, 3 Apr 2007 @ 11:10am

A lot of stores do this.
It's all marketing information, and it's valuable to the stores.

Usually, if the store asks me for my zip code (normally, that's all, Radio Shack is the exception) I ask them if they are giving me a discount for it. If not, then they can go on with the purchase without one.

I've only had one store insist on getting my zip code, until we called over a manager. He didn't understand the problem with it and finally put in some numbers (his own, I suspect) so we could move on. It never happened again, even in that particular store.

EtG
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steve, 3 Apr 2007 @ 11:27am

LOL
You got questions.......we have blank stares
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Former RS Canada Employee, 3 Apr 2007 @ 11:35am

Re: A lot of stores do this.
As a former employee of RS Canada, I can confirm Eric the Grey's take on this situation. However, we went further: we had to request name and address for every pruchase and the company standard was an 85% success rate. This information was in turn used to create a database that our head office would mine to sent out direct marketing (flyers). As much as customers dislike being asked this information, I as an employee HATED having to ask for it as I was told off several times by irate customers.

As for the SSN and other personal info collected in the States stores, we collected similar info for the purposes of credit checks & cellular activations. However, we did not dispose of this info on a store level due to obvious security concerns. The thing is now, RS is not the only company asking for this info (all be it they probably have the poorest technique). I shop at Best Buy and other like retailers and they request the same but don't make any issue if you refuse.

What happened in the states regarding the disposal of this personal info is inexcusasble and if it happened here, there's a good chance the company would not survive.
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jb, 3 Apr 2007 @ 11:35am

Don't we trust the maturity of retail staff?
I've worked with IT security for a good while now, yet as much as we strive to secure the data, the big leaks seam to often be low-tech leaks. (stolen laptop, miss-handled files..) Why is the data on the local computer to begin with? Or in this case left as hard copies in a retail store with probably very little physical security.

I had a co-worker who received her benefits manual in the mail. The packing was stuffed with paper from the recycle bin of the HR dept which included SSNs, addresses, etc.. Their mistake in who they sent that to caused it to be found luckily but how often does that one happen?

Then there is the truth that management really doesn't want to hear that their system has security flaws in it. That doesn't help their bottom line, so they seam very happy with the "ignorance is bliss" line. I had a previous manager who I had to actually show that I could get to the HR system and do anything I wanted before he admitted to the hole, and I don't know to this day if it was really fixed. I got tired of it and moved on.
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SnatcherGeek, 3 Apr 2007 @ 11:38am

"Trust us"???
Upon the usual checkout interrogation, I'm informed info is for RS use only, never given out. I invite the cashier to use their mother's personal info if they trust RS so much.

I do give out my ZIP so RS can manage their growth.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2007 @ 11:58am

i worked for radio hack for over a year i helped close a bunch of the stores last year. i was surprised when we had to throw a lot of DRs (daily reports). radio shack only paid someone to come buy once or twice a year and shard them of some managers throw them away when they start taking to much room.

as far as asking for all that personal info u don't have to have any to make a sale (just hit Esc). only if your making a credit card or cell phone payment. or if you buy a shity service plan (don't do it its not worth it). all that info should go right in to the computer. the only time paper is involved is cell phone contracts.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Apr 2007 @ 3:39pm

I get my hair cut at a chain operation, and they ask the same crap questions that Radio Crap does.

FOR A HAIRCUT! CASH TRANSACTION!

I always refuse, and that confuses the hell out of these poor people. It's almost worth going there for that alone.

The sad thing is, they don't understand why anyone would object to giving away their personal info.

What kind of future do we have with idiots like them running around free - probably the majority?
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Snidely Whiplash, 3 Apr 2007 @ 9:39pm

Give 'em a zip code
Anytime some luser company asks me for a zip code for a cash transaction, I *ALWAYS* give them 10048. If you don't know where that number leads to,

google: ZIP Code 10048

to find out.
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Anonymous Coward, 4 Apr 2007 @ 12:57am

thanks for not writing "begs the question."
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Former RS Employee & Assitant Manager, 4 Apr 2007 @ 1:08am

Legal reasons
Radioshack's credit card processor requires us to keep paper records of all credit transactions for 90 days. This is in case a charge is disputed, we have a paper record of what was sold, authorization information, and so forth. The Radioshack central database is so ass-backwards it'd be impossible for them to look it up there.

As for SSNs, well...I'm guessing that was for the Radioshack credit card, which uses your SSN as your account ID, and you even use it to pay your bill.

And if a store ever asks for ANY information, from your name to your shoe size, you have the right to turn them down. The only exception is when you're paying by credit card or check, and then they can only view -- not enter -- your information to verify it matches the payment type.

You CAN get a cell phone without giving your SSN, you CAN get a credit card without it, it just takes longer. And if you're irate that a store has your zip code because you bought a $300 race car, imagine how much info your credit card company has.
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Bo'Peep, 5 Apr 2007 @ 8:55am

demo'grafficks
as someone who lives in an area considered "abandoned" by the city government, populated mostly by crack houses and crumbling infrastructure, I enjoying giving my zipcode when I'm at upscale boutiques in the 'burbs. "Oh please open a branch in my area!"
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Daddy~Peeps, 7 Apr 2007 @ 11:15pm

This is one more correct...
Radioshack:

"You've got a dumb ass queston...We've got a smart ass answer."
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radio shack employee, 8 Apr 2007 @ 4:30pm

Well it was a bad thing that this happened but radio shack is not all that bad. I have seen worse happen at other places now the personal information was with cellular activations and credit checks because there needs to be a paper trail--i mean you cant rely soley on the pc to remember everything and sometimes the computers mess up. in other words this is not the 1st time something like this has happened to a company and it will probable not be the last time so people need to just move on and get on with their lives. Dogging companies does not fix the problem so you might as well stop. and thats for any company!!
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disgruntled mgr., 9 Apr 2007 @ 11:26am

Re: Old Paperwork
After being nagged daily for almost 2 months it is no wonder the manager in Texas dumped the stuff,, seems the D.Ms had nothing better to do than nag the mamagers to get the back rooms purged of old cell rescords as well as payroll records. and sent stuff back to texas.and anything older than 2 yrs was to be shreded thei it sits ready for pick up for 2 mon the at the back door and no one comes to getr it we have to climb over it to get to the dumpster and pec. freight,
Why were the records so important to get out of the stores, ??? is it for fear of another class action suit regarding payroll fraud ??? If the "old" records wewre so #$%^&* important to keep or get rid of corporate should have gotten the stuff out of the stores IMMEDIATELY. also for YEARS when a manager change took place all old records were dumpud into the dumpsters, if they were past 5 yrs old . per D.M. Instructions... this was calles a 10-10

now called a jump start..

We cant get a break seems Texas is never on the same page as the stores...

With the new admin in Texas Micro-Managing is the order of every day..
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Former RS Employee, 12 Apr 2007 @ 10:45am

Re:
You are absolutely right about the new filing system they are trying to implement, but how many of these managers are going to follow the instructions from corporate, especially the managers who cannot speak english, needless to say read english. How about the pay cuts
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employee, 13 Apr 2007 @ 11:59am

As an employee, and a customer, I was astonished when the DM suggested we toss all of our old paperwork in the dumpster, My manager and I took the time to sort all of said paperwork and took it to our local recycle center so it could be disposed of properly and not accessible to anyone!
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Apr 2007 @ 10:13am

Re: I'm sure some people just gave it away
you are a full blown idiot. they ask for the info only in credit aplications and for purchases requiring credit.
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NoAtsDuAmbsYoLoouk, 26 Apr 2007 @ 4:12pm

Re: Re:
I have always wondered why people who bash RadioShack, always have multiple stories about them. If for some reason I don't like a specific retailer, (and I may be way out on a limb here) I stop giving them money.

Be sure you read this a couple of times, as I want you to.... fully...... understand.....
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Ray, 27 Apr 2007 @ 1:04am

Radio Shack credit card
How come I keep getting a late fee on the 1st bill
I get every month..If they would send the bill on time
I would pay without a late fee...$35 seems like a scam
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Samuel Mathews, 27 Apr 2007 @ 9:13am

Fraud
Hi my name is Samuel Mathews. I resently got a call from a collection agency concerning my radioshack account. I've called radioshack many of times and they keep trying to revert me to the collection agency. They will not tell me when the account was opened. The orginal amount of the supposed debt. The account that I did have with them was paid. I have that letter however they don't.
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Ken, 30 Apr 2007 @ 12:17pm

Old Cellular phone contracts
I suspect that the store was purging their cellular activation records. The company requires each store to retain cellular activation records for 3 years. These records will have the customer's personal information and a copy of the sales slip with CC number stapled to it.

When I ran a shack store (for 8 years) the company had no policy for handling sensitive customer information, and it was like pulling teeth to convince the superiors of the need for an industrial shredder to protect the customer information.

Ken
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Anonymous Coward, 3 May 2007 @ 3:43pm

Never get a raioshack cc!
I have worked for radioshack for years - Never give them your personal info - the workers there take that info and open up cc acounts in your name and max it out - such as is happening now in Mentor oh - a few people are charged with cc theft for charging over 10 grand
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your all pricks, 6 May 2007 @ 2:27pm

its our jo
its hard enough being required to ask for it as part of our jobs

i dont see the harm in giving out your name, address, and zip

when we do cell phones, SSN is required, so it is for any sort of credit application

think of the info your banks, creditors, car loan holders, etc, have in THEIR folders and files

Radioshack only uses that info to become more efficient as a company, to figure out who, IF someone gets a sale add, where to build stores, what product to stock

if one isolated store screwed up, then they were probably shut down, Hell, they may not have even been a radioshack corporate store, there are differences between corporate and franchised stores

Its my job, and i hate it as much as you could know

but to all you people that thinks its ok to give us a hard time, go fuck yourselfs, and i hope your identitys DO get stolen, it would serve you right
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Radioshack manager, 7 May 2007 @ 11:36am

Re: Fraud
Call your nearest radioshack and ask an associate to give you the number to corporate credit. There are people that sit in an office in Texas that get paid to research this question for you.
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Fred Wolf, 9 May 2007 @ 10:52am

Re: kramer
..... so that their wizards can do demographics to see what has sold at a particular store, and then restock items. For example, a spanish speaking watch may sell big
in San Diego, CA but not in Burlington, VT.
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Fred Wolf, 9 May 2007 @ 10:55am

Re: Re: I'm sure some people just gave it away
Not any more. Now the POS stations ask for the information first before an item can be rung up. But you can refuse.
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mee, 10 May 2007 @ 8:37am

duh
if you dont want radioshack to have your info, then why dont you just give them a fake address and phone number. its not like they are going to call it and verify it. Or just say no and the associate can skip it.
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Fang, 13 May 2007 @ 8:05am

Collection of a customers personal information
Actions taken by RadioShack, or any, corporation are solely in pursuit of money. This can be achieved by increasing money flow in or reducing money flow out.
Credit applications aside, customer information is collected, theoretically, so that RadioShack can mail advertising fliers to customers. This action, again theoretically, works that sole pursuit on both fronts: fliers are far less expensive to create and distribute than television and radio advertising; less money flowing out. It targets what is believed to be fertile ground people who are aware of RadioShacks existence, and are therefore likely to return; more money flowing in.
Approximately six years ago, RadioShack tried the same action for the same reason. It failed miserably. When customers were unable to make purchases because the POS CashLane terminals would NOT ALLOW sales associates to complete a transaction as simple as the purchase of a hearing-aid battery, irate customers who resented the invasion of their privacy began to stay away in droves.
Finally, a special 100- SKU was created, allowing associates to ask customers if they wished to receive fliers, and only then recording their personal information. When sales associates, for some obscure reason, forgot to ask customers if they wanted to receive fliers - after telling them how much they needed a RadioShack AnswersPlus card (only to be used at RadioShack and bearing a remarkably low 23.78% APR), a Sirius Satellite Radio, a Sprint or Cingular wireless phone, a new digital camera bundle, and of course, ALL the accessories youll need to make this a complete solution to your needs, the corporation introduced the RadioShack Rewards Card.
Associates now offered the Rewards Card as a way to get special privileges on unadvertised merchandise. (Youll even be entered into Grand Prize Sweepstakes Drawings! All I need is your name, address and phone number!) The customer was then handed a Shackian red magnetic-striped card and told to use it for his every purchase: (the more you buy, the greater your chances of winning!) The Rewards Card program did not last six months. R.I.P.
Now the associate is badgered by his Manager who is badgered by his District Manager, etc., on up the chain to ask each purchaser for this personal information to register his purchase so that if (when) he wants to make a return and has lost his receipt, it will be on the computer and therell be no trouble. And finally, the CashLane programming has been modified so that customer information is to be entered first before the item to be purchased is scanned (or entered by hand since the items SKU is not to be found in the long bar code list). The Managers first duty is to check over the ticket list from the previous day to see who has pressed or most often to get on with the business of the day.
Remember when I said THEORETICALLY way back up yonder at the top of all this?
Theoretically, each step in this comedy of errors should have done its job. Period. No need for the next step. Even though the whole concept was tried six years ago and created chaos, no one remembered. So that leaves just one question unanswered: whos getting the money flowing in? Which member, or members of senior management concocted this? What appears, to the uninformed outsider to be a kettle of pus; may be, to those who arranged the artwork, printing, and distribution contracts for the fliers, who arranged the psychological evaluation of test-markets, the production and distribution of the Rewards Cards, a Rewarding Card indeed! Oh, and as for the consumer whose identity has been compromised? Who gives a bloody butt-fuck about him?
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hasan, 13 May 2007 @ 1:16pm

if i need a job
today i went to a radio shack i ask for a job but they say you have to go to online to carrior i dont know wat is itbut they sayyou have to go online i have the work paper from my school
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ROSA E RAMOS, 12 Jun 2007 @ 1:35pm

IM ROSA RAMOS I WANT TO LET YOU PEOPLE WHY YOU STILL CHARGE ME FOR THE SAME AMOUNT EVERY MONTHS I BILIVE ON YOU BUT I THING YOU GET OVER ONLY I WAS HAVE TO PAYING YOU 87 DOLLARS BUT I THING THAT YOU PEOPLE STILL CHARGE ME FOR MONEY I NEVER USE ON RADIOSHACK
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ROSA E RAMOS, 12 Jun 2007 @ 1:38pm

I ROSA RAMOS LIVING ON 31 LAUREL ST I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU PEOPLE STILL CHARGE ME FOR THE SAME AMOUNT EVER MONTH I DO NOT AUNDEDENTAND YOU PEOPLE
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jnparmelee, 17 Jun 2007 @ 5:07am

item
i bought a wirless security system at radio shack 49-1000 it was sold as a unit i could ad on to i tried to get 3 motion dectors there ware house dont have them shis left me out in the cold they wont stand behinde this product they say it was discontinued it is worthless
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jnparmelee, 17 Jun 2007 @ 5:15am

stay away
i dont deal with radio shack i dont feel they are honest
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Jones Smith, 19 Jun 2007 @ 11:11pm

radioshit
I work for RS, I have to, I am the only breadwinner, I pay the mortgage and put food on the tabel for my family.

Today the DM, told my manager that if he does not see a BIG improvement in the number of names and addresses taken within 30 days, then everyone in my store will be fired.

I was putting 'refused' when they refused, but we got told that was fraudulent.

So, now I demand N&A from ALL customers for whatever purchase, however trivial.

I was telling them that my job was under threat if I didn't get it, because that is the truth, but my manager says I am not allowed to tell customers our business.

He told me that radioshit is not interested in profit at the moment, only Names and addresses and their worthless service plans.

In my opinion neither RS, nor any other business has any right whatsover to anyone's personal information, but my opinion is worthless.

So, now, to protect my job, from a bullying asshole of a DM, I simply demand the N&A, and if they still refuse to give it, I tell them I cannot sell them the item.

I cannot fathom that RS upper management still cannot get it that we are really beginning to piss off customers and that it is starting to damage our business.

What a bunch of stupid fucks they really are.

That's all.

Smithjones
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2007 @ 3:01pm

Re: My guess
computers crash and lose memory moron...
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2007 @ 3:02pm

Re: Re: I'm sure some people just gave it away
thank you....
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2007 @ 3:06pm

Re: Re: Old Paperwork
10-10's are for cleaning out the store and organizing it for new managers not for tossing out records moron...
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Jul 2007 @ 3:10pm

Re: radioshit
LOL!!! you think they will fire you for that? god u need to read up on the real ways you can get fired cause they can never fire you for not taking names only for pisspoor sales and work negligence
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Abe Bernstien, 6 Jul 2007 @ 8:18pm

Who is the ISP forRadio Shack Corporate?
My email keeps getting kicked back when I try to contact corporate.Whois the ISP for Radio Shack in Dallas?
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Nothing Left, 14 Jul 2007 @ 10:06pm

reality
Reality. I'm beginning to quesion what reality is. As a manager for this company that is bashed by some and praised by others, I can only say that the memories of helping people that truly appreciated me will be the only thing that keeps me positive. As underpaid as I think I am, and unappreciative as this forum is, I can't think of a better place to have learned the skills and experiences that have been acquired over the last 5 years. The words that are thrown out in this forum are pointed towards a faceless corporate entity. The problem is, this is not the reality associated with any comment that was posted. RadioShack is not a faceless entity. It's me. It's the kid who always shopped at RadioShack and thought that it would be the coolest place to work(I mean seriously, with all those remote control cars what better place is there!?!) And then there is the college student that needs to make some extra cash but not smell like french fries when he goes to see his girlfriend that night. Oh and we can't forget the retired engineer either. He worked for 25 years, retired, but wasn't ready to give up feeling like he had a purpose. I can almost guarantee that the most negative of comments do not come from a person that has hired, trained, and for some odd reason cared remotely about the people who worked for them. These comments will come from the people that think $4 spent gives them the right to spit in the face of someone who wanted to make a decent wage or someone who cares just enough to help out their neighbors. Or, it's someone who used to care about what they did until one too many saliva stained sleeves from wiping that spit ruined his entire wardrobe. This is the reality. Each and every one of us(customers and employees) are probably some of the most intelligent and interesting people any one could meet. But for some reason when we put us together in a public setting we become thoughtless, spiteful, and incapable of using logic. Shame on all of you. But mostly shame on me for still caring about why I even considered starting employment here: Helping people like you.
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Just an RS seasonal employee, 15 Aug 2007 @ 2:34am

Re: reality
I laud this manager's idealism. I always thought that RS would be a cool place to work as a kid. It still would be if we were not on a commission based pay system that has been slowly nerfed over the past few years. Not to mention the customers have become slowly more asinine over the past few years.

But I do hate some of the idiot policies. Despite being at least somewhat knowledgeable about the vast majority of the products in the store, I happen to hate the things that make the most commission. Who the hell would like to buy a service plan on a $30 headphone that is already overpriced? Not to mention being pushed to sell excessively overpriced accessories for phones and plans that are way more than the customer could need.

I'd much rather be selling parts, cameras, or DAPs instead. Just chatting with customers finding just what they need and helping them go home happy.

I guess in this day and age such nuances are lost on large corporations... this customer information scandal is horrible proof of how cold and uncaring some of the higher ups can be.
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rs employee, 16 Aug 2007 @ 12:30pm

I currently work at Radio Shack while I'm getting my degree in Computer Science. I'm pretty tech savy on other items as well as computers. I like helping people get what they want or need
I don't push the service plans or repair plans for stuff that I don't believe should even have one. Why buy a 2 year service plan for $11 for a rectifier that costs 29.99. I tell people what they want to know I'm honest maybe too much for Radio Shack. I won't ask you for you name or address or anything unless you return something that's expensive. I treat people the way I would want to be treated. I don't expect your personal information when you buying from me unless it's necessary for credit approval or to prevent fraud. To sum I agree Radio Shack is ridiculous to ask for so much for so I really don't think they could fire me for that but if they do I'll take that risk if other employees there do the same I know more people will have a higher opinion of Radio Shack.
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Aug 2007 @ 8:32pm

Re:
I AGREE,RADIOSHACK DOES STUFF I DONT UNDERSTAND,WHY SO MUCH INFO,ARE THEY WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING , I TOO DONT KNOW HOW THEY STAY OPEN,
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ME, 25 Aug 2007 @ 8:39pm

PAY
AND THERE PAY SUCKS,THEY KEEP TAKING SPIFF AWAY FROM US,THAT REALLY PUTS ME IN A GOOD MOOD FOR THERE CUSTOMERS,SOMETIMES I DONT EVEN WANT TO GO THERE,AND,AND THEY CHANGED AROUND THE HOURS,I LIVE FAR FROM THE STORE (45 MIN)AND THEY GOT ME GOING IN FOR 3 HOURS AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. AND THIS NEW SHITY PROGRAM THEY GOT CALLED WORK FORCE SUCKS. PLEASE,WHEN ARE WE GETTING BOUGHT OUT ?
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Maunettia, 4 Nov 2007 @ 12:30pm

Salary
What do Sles Reps or Sales Associates usually earn? I'm Thinking about applying.
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Radio Shack Customer, 2 Jan 2008 @ 2:14pm

Phone Number
When I bought an item from Radio Shack, I paid cash. The employee still asked for my phone number. Since I knew that my phone number was already in their database, I gave it. Weeks later, I was shocked to see that my credit card was automatically charged for the item that I already paid for. I called the store and they said that they had no record of that credit card transaction and that they had nothing in their database to "reverse." The store said that I owed nothing on my credit card. I called my credit card bank and had the transaction voided. The following month, the Radio Shack main office put the erroneouse charge back on my credit card once again. After six weeks of phone calls and faxes with my credit card company, the Radio Shack billing "error" (was it really an error??) was fixed. Radio Shack vigorously fought the erroneous charge even though it was for a measly $25.00 AND they were wrong!
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jnparmelee, 9 Mar 2008 @ 6:52am

Re: item
radio shack still has not stood behind there 49-1000 wireless security system that made me not a future coustmore you know what they dont care can a bussiness like
that in the hard times surive i say boycot this co this in
regard to item 47 by jnparmelee on june 17 2007@507am
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jnparmelee, 9 Mar 2008 @ 7:27am

no union
co with no union pay what they want work you when they want
fire you when they want they lay you off when they want insult you when they want no lunch when they want no breaks when they want sexuley haress you when they want hold your pay
when they want go to the bath room when they'' want that is
they work part timers they dont have to pay uneployment so if you work for a co like radioshack you have my simphety things will get better when you die and go to heaven
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me, 18 Mar 2008 @ 2:04pm

radio shack asking for personal info for cash sale
Winchester,KY Radio Shack is once again asking for personal info for cash sales!I thought they got in trouble for this a few years ago,and said they would stop doing it.So,be warned of the Winchester,KY RS.The cashier told me RS computer system had accidentely erased everyones info,and that is why she had to ask for it.Yeah,right.If you want to lose customers again RS,keep up the shit-Dumbasses!
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Old-Time Shacker, 28 Mar 2008 @ 11:08am

Re: its our jo
Waah Waah Waah! RadioShack employees really DON'T CARE who you are and what your personal info is, just let us do our jobs!We used to ask for name and adress for our own mailing list, now it's for our country-wide database( to make your job of returning everything you buy that much easier)!
It's voluntary unless it's for a service or special order where we may need to contact you.A cellular phone is a luxury,not a God-given right!If you want one give your SS number or shut up and go back to searching for payphones.Some store was throwing out personal info-yeah that's not smart, but imagine the treasures you'd find if you dove into all the dumpsters of every store in your mall! As for this Kramer comment, the only thing funny about Seinfeld is his penchant for underaged girlfriends. If you're that paranoid about giving personal info, don't shop at RadioShack. Stay home and shop online. That's REAL safe, isn't it? Any nerd with a computer could probably find out just about anything about anyone that they wouldn't want others to know. And as for these jokers who write "check I.D." on their cerdit cards to help make our jobs miserable, both Visa and Mastercard do not recognize this as a valid legal signature. Stop listening to daytime TV, sign your credit cards,don't think you're clever when you harass RS employees, and accept the fact that, on the whole, any problems with identity theft,junk mail or otherwise would not come from a company with as much to lose by doing it as RadioShack.
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amazed!, 6 Apr 2008 @ 2:23pm

Re: no union
Wow! Which came first, graduating fourth grade or your driving test? My seven-year-old can string together a more coherent sentence, complete with proper spelling and punctuation. If you hate a company that much DON'T WORK THERE! DON'T SHOP THERE! DON'T EVEN GO NEAR THE PLACE! Better yourself instead of lashing out against others. There is obviously much room for improvement...
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Old Time Shacker, 6 Apr 2008 @ 2:36pm

Re: radio shack asking for personal info for cash sale
First off, RadioShack never got "in trouble" for asking for information. It has always been voluntary for sales, although required for refunds. Secondly, RadioShack has now fully integrated it's database cross-country,so this information has to be entered from scratch.(There was no "accidental erasue".)You may be suprised to know that nine out of ten people will give a name and address without any complaint. What are you trying to hide?
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Nobody Special, 28 Jul 2008 @ 1:25am

The Real Scoop!!!!!
These offenses are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Not everyone locks their file cabinets because they're in and out of them all day, but dumping customer info is a huge no-no, and everyone has had to have training where they sign off on the concept as well.

There are no SSN's stored locally anymore. Or CC info, other than authorization numbers. We get the occasional DL # for checks and credit apps, those are under lock and key from the second they leave our hands.

We're not even allowed to have note that says "Call John Smith at xxx-xxxx when his camera comes in." This is protected info. So, they are dead serious. Multi-million dollar lawsuits will do that.

As for the names and addresses, oy. For pity's sake, people, it's just marketing. You give away enough information to get a credit card every time you buy a pack of smokes and have to show your ID. It's absolutely not required, but don't get pissy in six months when you forget your receipt for some trinket and the store staff can't look up your receipt on command.

The more I see it in other stores, the less uppity the populace seems to get about it, which takes the stress level down considerably. It was awful for years there, every other person would have their urban myths about why we took the info. I got sick of explaining and stopped taking it. It's not even required for the bulk of returns, technically. Just checks, cell phone/large $ refunds, direct shipping, bill payments, and credit apps.

There you go. No mystery. Happy to be of service.

"Thank you, now please do more."
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whore hooe, 30 Jul 2008 @ 1:35pm

HHAHAHAHAH
huh
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Gutless Wonder Fan, 19 Aug 2008 @ 8:20am

Re: Re:
well gutless wonder you are first off wrong about getting products elsewhere because radio shack is the biggest electronic consumer company that there is so it's not like you can go to Wal Mart and get the same high quality items secondly in most places business computers wont allow the employees to proceed until their clients info has been put in if you have been there before you already know these facts so why are you complaining? Maybe you should be called dip shit!!!
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wth., 21 Aug 2008 @ 7:11pm

That's not allowed...
I can't believe that store is throwing stuff away like that, We're required to keep every item containing any kind of personal information locked away in a safe for records, it is backed up in the PC but incase of the systems going down we need physical records. They're supposed to be sent securely via fedex to our district office, or recorded and destroyed in the paper shredder.
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B. Coomaraswamy, 5 Oct 2008 @ 7:18am

Credit card privacy
All major credit cards strictly forbid participating merchants to require personal information as a condition of sale, including any linked return policies. Several states have even made this practice illegal.

Refusing to disclose personal information that someone else then profits from has nothing to do with "having something to hide". Privacy simply means "it's none of your business". If you don't stand up for your rights, who will? Your mother?

The irony is that treating one's customers as though they were all criminals is not even an efficient method for preventing fraud.
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User 600, 13 Oct 2008 @ 7:41pm

Who told you this?
That is complete crap in my opinion, that makes a great company look bad, someone was irresponsible for sure. Anyone who has ever worked for the company would know that it was probably some stupid ass 16-year old stoner employee who got fired seconds after this "happened." Radio Shack keeps everything on computer. The computer cannot really print any document that has full-blown SSNs on it. Radio Shack pays an amored truck often to come by, pickup, and shred documents of this type. They are kept in locked receptacles until pickup, in every location. And I can't seem to get more information on who actually discovered this sensitive information. Employees aren't even supposed to see such information, except for brief ID matching.
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Dec 2008 @ 4:15am

Re: Re:
just a damn zip code, u dumb ass
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Annoyed Consumer, 27 Feb 2009 @ 3:20pm

Do they always have to ask about cellphones?!
Seriously. It gets SO annoying. If I WANTED one, i'd ASK about one...what gives you any right to go asking if I wanted one (every single time I go there - without fail) when it's not what I came there for? Wait for me to BRING IT UP...you're only driving people away, by seemingly pushing other things on people when it's not what they came for. In the end, it's just annoying.
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dt, 15 May 2009 @ 9:06pm

Re: Re: radio shack asking for personal info for cash sale
Old time shacker-you are an idiot.#1RS did get into legal hot water(do your research),#2the majority of people do not want to reveal personal info-especially for no valid reason(again,do your research),#3 personal info is just that "personal"(research meaning),it doesn't mean anyone has anything to "hide",what is DOES mean is that they have wisdom and intelligence,something you are obviously too dense to ever have.PITY YOU!
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efrwe, 20 May 2009 @ 5:15am

China printing industry developed this years, who can tell us? China based plastic injection molding services with low costs and supeior quality Steel and aluminum scaffolding for construction is a very useful tool.
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james, 6 Jan 2010 @ 1:09pm

Re: Re:
You know damn well that noone asked for your mothers maiden name, place of birth, pets names or half of the things you mentioned so yeah your full of shit. don't trash talk a business when you can't remember what was said during the purchase. Most of the time the information asked is for advertisement and marketing purposes, not to invade your privacy you sound stupid.
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orlando, 5 Apr 2010 @ 1:20pm

Re: Re:
This guy is full of shit, if they ask and you say NO ...they will see you almost anything as long as the info was not needed for credit inquiry.....i hate when stupid people comment in blogs....go and pound sand, u dumb phuck
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lisa, 18 Apr 2010 @ 1:31pm

I have worked for Radioshack for 3 years.The reason for taking social security numbers is only for credit checks for postpaid wireless,no other reasons.Its rediculous how someone throws social secutiy numbers in their trash cans.First of all,your not suppost to write them down! and you as a coustomer shouldnt let them.I dont do that,nor does my team do that.So some radioshack employees obviously were not trained properly.
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Nancie, 12 May 2011 @ 8:54am

No.
I'm a Radioshack employee, and have been for some time now. We have a HUGE box, where we are required to place all sensitive material in. We take social security numbers, and info for credit cards, and cellphone applications. This is absurd, and I know we aren't doing this. We are required by company policy, and law to destroy any customer's personal information. We've had extensive training on this, and it's definitely sad if a store actually did this. Do I believe it? No.
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jul 2011 @ 8:49am

Haha to all those bitching about givinh any form of info for any reason I dont wanna here it just to leave your comment you left they required you to enter some sort of name email and such
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jul 2011 @ 8:50am

Cause testing shows that there arent to many posters in here titaled annonymous.coward
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