True stories of privacy errors -- from business like yours.

Every day, we read about competent, smart businesses that fail to keep confidential information under lock and key. Patient records left out in the open. Employee information and social security numbers free for the taking. Credit card print-outs mixed in with the trash.

With pressures to meet deadlines and boost the bottom line, employees are more harried and stressed than ever. Today’s hurried business climate makes nearly every company prone to privacy errors -- mistakes that can cost millions in fines, lawsuits, and perhaps worst of all, a loss in customer confidence.

Beyond privacy, corporate espionage and sabotage is a true modern threat. Competition is fierce, and many businesses will do just about anything to get ahead — including rifling through your intellectual property.

Here are some real-world stories of businesses that likely thought they could internally manage privacy and security. Companies that should have relied on a shredding service to ensure confidentiality, security, and their own reputation.

July 30, 2010 — Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg County Tax Records Found In Dumpster
July 13, 2010 — Charlotte, NC
Attorney: Doctor to notify 900 patients about discarded records
July 12, 2010 — Greer, SC
Dumpster Documents: 7 OYS Consumer Watch Investigation
June 11, 2010 — Middle Township, NJ
Police Investigating What Woman Found While Dumpster Diving
May 21, 2010 — Raleigh, NC
Prompt Med Pays $50,000 for Putting Personal Info at Risk
April 30, 2010 — Tampa, FL
Investigation: Are businesses endangering your identity?
April 26, 2010 — Columbia, SC
Personal Health Information Found in Dumpster
March 4, 2010 — St. Petersburg, FL
Medical records may end up on the auction block
January 28, 2010 — Port St. Lucie, FL
Medical Files Found in Trash
September 24, 2009 — Charleston, SC
Charleston man charged with throwing other people’s private documents in dumpster
August 24, 2009 — Greensboro, NC
More Medical Records Found ... This Time On The Street
August 21, 2009 — Greensboro, NC
Medical Records Found In Dumpster
August 19, 2009 — Mc Allen, TX
Medical Files Found in Dumpster
August 11, 2009 — Millington, TN
ID thief uses job applications found in dumpster
June 3, 2009 — Chattanooga, TN
No charges will be filed for improper disposal of medical records
April 8, 2009 — Richmond, VA
Medical Records Blowing in the Wind
March 24, 2009 — Sarasota, FL
Florida Staffing Firm Fills Dumpster With Personal Information
March 23, 2009 — Huntsville, AL
Employees Worried Because Personal Files Were Dumped
December 30, 2008 — Jacksonville, FL
Private Medical Records Found In Garbage
November 8, 2008 — St. Pertersburg, FL
Social Security number, medical records found in municipal Dumpster
October 24, 2008 — Albany, GA
APD gets lesson on document disposal
October 1, 2008 — San Antonio, TX
Discarded Records Could Cost Company $2 Million
September, 2008 — Entrepreneur Magazine
Lock up employee data, or face the consequences
August 15, 2008 — Atlanta, GA
Identity Theft Bill Provides More Protection for Consumers
August 14, 2008 — Palm Beach County, FL
Check stubs found scattered in Green Acres
April 8, 2008 — Atlanta, GA
Documents Loaded with Personal Information Found in Atlanta Dumpster
June 3 2008 — Boca Raton, FL
Building Owner Says Dumpster Documents Being Destroyed
May 16, 2008 — Lake Buena Vista, FL
Dumpster Full Of Amateur Athletes' Records Found At Storage Complex
May 20, 2008 — Jacksonville, FL
UF warns patients of security breach
MAy 20, 2008 — Winston Salem, NC
Local Dumpsters Offer Bounty To Identity Thieves
March 11, 2008 — Florence, SC
Several boxes packed full of sensitive, personal information were found this week in a Florence dumpster.
February, 15, 2008 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ft. Lauderdale Dumpster Becomes A Treasure Trove
June 22, 2007 — Atlanta, GA
Fulton Co. Under Fire for Voter Records Found in Dumpster
MArch 19, 2007 — Orlando, FL
Trashed Documents Stir Security Woes