Radio Shack Sued For Throwing Away Customer Information
from the just-dump-it-in-the-trash dept
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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Just a guess
Neither of which is a good enough reason to record information and then discard it in such an unsafe way...
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Who told you this?
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My guess
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Re: My guess
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I'm sure some people just gave it away
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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Re: I'm sure some people just gave it away
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Re: Re: I'm sure some people just gave it away
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Re: Re: I'm sure some people just gave it away
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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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Re:
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Re: Old Paperwork
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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Re: Re: Old Paperwork
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Salary
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kramer
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Re: kramer
in San Diego, CA but not in Burlington, VT.
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Be sure you read this a couple of times, as I want you to.... fully...... understand.....
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From the article
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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Happens all the time
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A lot of stores do this.
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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Re: A lot of stores do this.
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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LOL
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Don't we trust the maturity of retail staff?
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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"Trust us"???
I do give out my ZIP so RS can manage their growth.
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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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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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Give 'em a zip code
google: ZIP Code 10048
to find out.
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Legal reasons
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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demo'grafficks
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This is one more correct...
"You've got a dumb ass queston...We've got a smart ass answer."
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Radio Shack credit card
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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Fraud
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Re: Fraud
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Old Cellular phone contracts
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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Never get a raioshack cc!
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its our jo
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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Re: its our jo
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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duh
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Collection of a customers personal information
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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if i need a job
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item
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Re: item
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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stay away
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radioshit
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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Re: radioshit
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Who is the ISP forRadio Shack Corporate?
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reality
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Re: reality
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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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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PAY
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Phone Number
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no union
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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Re: no union
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radio shack asking for personal info for cash sale
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Re: radio shack asking for personal info for cash sale
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Re: Re: radio shack asking for personal info for cash sale
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The Real Scoop!!!!!
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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HHAHAHAHAH
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That's not allowed...
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Credit card privacy
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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Do they always have to ask about cellphones?!
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No.
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