Man does the right thing with “ID Theft Fraud Starter Kit,” pays for it
October 13, 2009 – 4:25 pm
Nearly every week another story about irresponsibly handled documents containing vital personal information comes out. This is another one of those stories and would have followed the same path if not for one responsible man.
Billy Tookoian is a landlord in San Francisco. Last year one of the businesses renting in his building, Financial Title, abruptly closed up shop. In lieu of their quick closing they left 46 boxes behind containing the personal information of nearly 2,000 clients. The files included social security numbers, copies of checks, banking information, addresses and even thumbprints.
Normally in stories like these we would say that Mr. Tookoian quickly deposited the boxes in the closest dumpster to make room for the next tenant, but it’s not true in this case. Instead Mr. Tookoian did the responsible, if not fair, thing — he paid for the documents to be deposed of by a properly accredited company. Bet you didn’t see that coming.
So now Mr. Tookoian is out the money it took to protect the 2,000 previous clients of Financial Title. I know if I were a San Franciscan who used Financial Title in the past, I’d be writting Mr. Tookoian a very nice letter thanking him for doing the right thing. And if I were in pretty good financial shape, it could even include a check to help ease his financial situation.
Recently a mortgage company in Illinois was fined $50,000 by the FTC for throwing personal information in the dumpster. Hopefully more businesses take note or employ honest people like Billy Tookoian.
Tags: billy tookoian, financial title, ID theft, starter kit
One Response to “Man does the right thing with “ID Theft Fraud Starter Kit,” pays for it”
thats crazy that he found that stuff in the dumpster, good thing he is now protecting his business ID fraud
By coupon guy on Oct 14, 2009