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Chase Data for 2.6 Million Ends up in Landfill

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the that's-something-of-an-oops dept.

svonkie writes to mention a ComputerWorld story about some bad news from some 2.6 Million Chase credit card customers. These folks are being told that tape backups with their information were mistakenly thrown away back in July. There's apparently no need to worry about possibility of compromised personal information; the company believes the tapes were destroyed at a landfill. Just the same, "To prevent similar incidents, Chase said it is strengthening its security procedures and is conducting a review of all data storage and protection processes. Chase began notifying the affected customers about the incident yesterday and said the process is expected to take two to three weeks. The company is offering one year of free credit monitoring to people whose Social Security numbers were on the tapes."

11 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. They *believe* they were destroyed? by SpaceLifeForm · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Gee, what if this was an inside job, and they
    were placed in the trash to be retrieved later
    before making it to the dump?

    --
    You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
  2. If I were a Chase customer... by deafpluckin · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...thinking that the tapes were destroyed is not an acceptable answer. From a PR standpoint they should've just lied or said they were taking actions to make sure they were destroyed.

  3. Free credit monitoring by earthlingpink · · Score: 4, Insightful
    One year of free credit monitoring?

    Is it just me, or is the whole "pay for" credit monitoring industry a big con?

    You have to PAY to find out what information may or may not be stored about you? It may be correct; it may be erroneous: you don't find out until you've stumped up the cash (and yes, I realise that the credit companies are required to make information available in the event that you are turned down for credit... but what about those who are just curious?).

    And in this instance, what happens when that year is up?

    1. Re:Free credit monitoring by aztektum · · Score: 2, Insightful

      that's great. 3 big companies are required to turn over any records they have pertaining to me once every 12 months, but only at my request.

      the law should require ANY company that keeps customers private information for any period to at least proactively make the customer aware, then divulge it at no expense to the customer.

      its my data, they're retaining it for some purpose, usually financial gain. i should be informed, given a cut or the option to have them expunge it.

      --
      :: aztek ::
      No sig for you!!
    2. Re:Free credit monitoring by h4ck7h3p14n37 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's not just a big con, it's incredibly unethical. People should be able to find out what data is stored about them as well as be able to correct erroneous information for no cost. In a computer ethics course I took as an undergraduate we learned about ethical issues related to databases; I can't recall the name of the text we used, but I believe there was a section talking about six ethical principles.

  4. Re:I say... by rolfwind · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The landfill or Chase?

  5. Re:I say... by quanticle · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Both. Its the only way to be sure.

    --
    We all know what to do, but we don't know how to get re-elected once we have done it
  6. obviously by swelke · · Score: 3, Insightful

    To prevent similar incidents, Chase said it is strengthening its security procedures and is conducting a review of all data storage and protection processes.

    How in the world would they just now find out that they threw such a thing away if they weren't already conducting some kind of review like that? The truth must be that they were already conducting the review, found the prior mistake, and then used the review as a way of atoning for the mistake.

    --
    Have you ever wondered How to Take Over
  7. Re:indexes? by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Forget indexes, they were backup tapes not originals.
    This wasn't offline archiving, this was backing up the live data.

    All the original records still exist.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  8. Re:Circuit City by TubeSteak · · Score: 3, Insightful
    That is a very important bit of info as many retail credit card holders often have no idea who the issuing bank is.
    True dat.

    I have a CC with a "MBNA America" & "MasterCard" logo on it.

    I called the 1-800 number on the back... and they responded:
    "Hello, this is [Some Gal] with [Company I've Never Heard Of].

    Makes me wonder, if your CC gets stolen/lost & you don't have a bill handy, how do you remember what number to call and report it?
    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
  9. Re:I say... by rizole · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I love how this has been modded insightful.

    "Blow stuff up with nukes"....+5 Insightful