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Goodwill caught selling donors' personal information
WHTR Channel 13 ^ | November 5, 2013 | Bob Segall/13 Investigates

Posted on 11/06/2013 7:07:14 AM PST by Oshkalaboomboom

INDIANAPOLIS - Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana has launched an internal investigation after 13 Investigates discovered the charity has been selling tax returns, medical records, social security numbers and other sensitive information mistakenly donated by its customers.

The personal information WTHR found for sale at Goodwill Outlet Stores has angered donors, shocked law enforcement and raised policy questions about the charity, which receives 1.9 million donations annually.

The problem was first identified by a longtime Goodwill donor and shopper. Her tip to Eyewitness News triggered an undercover investigation that, according to police, exposes a safety and security threat to anyone who donates to the charity.

(Excerpt) Read more at wthr.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Local News; Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: identitytheft
Be careful before you donate any of your household goods. People give away an amazing amount of personal information and valuables because they don't take a minute to look before they give it away.
1 posted on 11/06/2013 7:07:15 AM PST by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Oshkalaboomboom
Sounds like some people use Goodwill like a dump instead of paying to drop it off at a landfill. If you dump documents containing personal info to Goodwill that's your fault, not theirs.

Pay to take it to the dump. Don't treat Goodwill like a dump and expect them to cull your trash.

2 posted on 11/06/2013 7:10:38 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Who knew that one day professional wrestling would be less fake than professional journalism?)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Goodwill does provide a great deal of employment to people who are physically and mentally handicapped. It is likely asking too much to ask a mentally handicapped part-time employee to recognize your sensitive info and react accordingly.


3 posted on 11/06/2013 7:18:06 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

I agree, they are placing way too much blame on Goodwill and not enough on the lazy people donating, who can’t be bothered.


4 posted on 11/06/2013 7:19:49 AM PST by Mr Fuji
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To: Buckeye McFrog
We are talking about MOUNTAINS of trash.

Expecting Goodwill to sift through it because you're lazy is ludicrous.

5 posted on 11/06/2013 7:19:50 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Who knew that one day professional wrestling would be less fake than professional journalism?)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

You would not believe what people give to Goodwill, and yes, they use it as a dump.
My daughter works for Goodwill running the local “shopgoodwill.com” online auction, Goodwill’s answer to ebay. She has sold mink coats, diamond rings, and musical instruments worth thousands of dollars.


6 posted on 11/06/2013 7:22:42 AM PST by Wiser now (Socialism does not eliminate poverty, it guarantees it.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

When Pennsylvania passed a law requiring old television sets to be recycled, people began immediately dumping mountains of old TV’s in every Goodwill parking lot.


7 posted on 11/06/2013 7:51:07 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

When I worked in a large factory complex, there was a ton of paperwork involved with hazmat disposal.

Often avoided by using the “midnight drop-off” procedure....


8 posted on 11/06/2013 7:53:56 AM PST by nascarnation (Frequently wrong but rarely in doubt....)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom
The Salvation Army, period

FMCDH(BITS)

9 posted on 11/06/2013 7:56:04 AM PST by nothingnew (I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

who on earth goes to goodwill to BUY personal data?

This story smells funny...


10 posted on 11/06/2013 7:58:43 AM PST by Mr. K (Lies, Damned Lies, Statistics, and then Democrat Talking Points.)
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To: nascarnation

Years ago I ran a farm store.

Someone decided to abandon a drum of waste oil on our property. The drum they used was clearly labeled “Freon”.

Eureka, Hazmat!

It sat undisturbed out back for a few months while all the government agencies processed the permits to transport it off the property (hitting my P&L for thousands of dollars).

Finally the permits were approved. A Hazmat trucker arrived to take it away. I asked “what are you going to do with this?”

His answer: “I’m taking it to an incinerator up in Detroit where they will burn it!”


11 posted on 11/06/2013 8:04:57 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

Sad but true...


12 posted on 11/06/2013 8:08:18 AM PST by nascarnation
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

If all these “news investigators” went after the vote fraud and questionable acts of the current administration in Washington they would be busy full-time.


13 posted on 11/06/2013 8:21:20 AM PST by hoosierham (Freedom isn't free)
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To: hoosierham

“If all these “news investigators” went after the vote fraud and questionable acts of the current administration in Washington they would be busy full-time.”

They would also be unemployed...
It’s a different world now, and the “Investigative Journalist” days are gone.
Now, you play along with the liberal political game, or you can kiss your media career g’bye.


14 posted on 11/06/2013 8:45:37 AM PST by tcrlaf (Well, it is what the Sheeple voted for....)
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To: Wiser now

Saw a complete silverware set, service for 6. Marked at $20. Upon closer inspection, I saw the 925 stamp on every piece. It was real silver. I brought it to the attention of a checker, who then called her sister to come in and buy it. She did not know I heard her. I went to another checker and purchased it. I waved to the one who called her sister as I was walking out the door.


15 posted on 11/06/2013 11:37:33 AM PST by adaven
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To: adaven

Good for you. Most of their employees don’t know what to look for. This area is different because my daughter loves antiques and knows what to look for. She has trained people to send certain items to her and not to automatically put it in the stores.


16 posted on 11/06/2013 1:19:12 PM PST by Wiser now (Socialism does not eliminate poverty, it guarantees it.)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Bump!


17 posted on 11/08/2013 5:34:48 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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