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Inspector Finds IRS Lax in Disposing of Sensitive Docs

Agency vows oversight of waste contractors

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted May 21, 2009 11:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – Sensitive documents that could be used to steal taxpayers’ identities were found in trash bins outside several Internal Revenue Service bureaus visited during a months-long government inspection, Reuters reports. Because of the findings, the IRS has increased oversight of the contractors responsible for its waste. Identity theft is an increasing worry for Americans, who have lost more than $45 billion to the crime.

“If security policies are not adequately communicated and adhered to, sensitive taxpayer information and employee data are at an increased risk of disclosure or other improper usage,” the report says.


The documents included sensitive taxpayer information and employee data, the inspectors found.
The documents included sensitive taxpayer information and employee data, the inspectors found.   (Shutterstock)
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At every location we visited, we found documents containing personally identifiable information in regular waste containers. - US Treasury inspector general's report

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